New Delhi: On a visit to Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on Sunday (October 3) visited the iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre built with Indian grant assistance.
"The iconic, state-of-the art cultural centre will help people of Northern Province reconnect with their roots and in nurturing our shared cultural heritage," a tweet from the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.
Jaffna was once Sri Lanka's second-most populous city after Colombo. The 1980s insurgent uprising led to extensive damage, the expulsion of part of the population, and military occupation. Since the end of the civil war in 2009, refugees and internally displaced people have begun returning to their homes, while government and private sector reconstruction have also started taking place.
Meanwhile, Mr Shringla on Sunday also inspected the Indian Oil Tank Farm in Trincomalee.
Lanka Indian Oil (LIOC) officials briefed him on the developments undertaken at the Lower Bank Farms and the possibilities to further strengthen the India-Sri Lanka energy partnership to enhance Sri Lanka's energy security.
The Foreign Secretary was also at hand to launch LIOC's new product 'Servo Pride ALT 15W-40'.
Apart from the bilateral discussion with the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary, Mr Shringla's programme includes a call on the President, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and the Foreign Minister.
The Foreign Secretary is on an official visit to Sri Lanka from 2 to October 5 at his Sri Lankan counterpart, Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage.
The visit will contribute towards consolidating the longstanding multifaceted relations and enhance bilateral partnerships between the two countries.
"Sri Lanka occupies a central place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Foreign Secretary's visit signifies the importance both countries attach to strengthening their close and cordial relations in all spheres of mutual interest," an MEA statement has said.
