The President came up with the same proposal for the construction of a bridge between the two countries when he was the Prime Minister between 2002 and 2004.

Making his remarks at a press conference in New Delhi, the Indian Foreign Secretary said that in terms of connectivity projects, the idea was proposed by the Sri Lankan President.

“Both leaders agreed to take this forward and in taking this forward you would have heard Prime Minister in his Press Remarks say that both sides would carry it forward through an initial feasibility study to look at this land connectivity between the two countries which would of course help to bring about economic prosperity to both our societies, also help in regional cohesion with the two countries, and can be a source of tremendous bilateral and the regional economic prosperity in our region,” he said.

The two countries signed five agreements namely the join joint declaration of intent (JDI) in the field of animal husbandry and dairying, MoU on cooperation in the field of renewable energy, Memorandum of Cooperation for economic development projects in Trincomalee District of Sri Lanka and Network to network agreement between NIPL and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka and Energy Permit for Sampur Solar Power Project.

(Kelum Bandara)