Foreign Secy Shringla dedicates housing and education projects in Sri Lanka

New Delhi: On a visit to Sri Lanka, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on Monday, Oct 4, jointly inaugurated four projects in the housing and education sectors with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof G. L. Peiris.

Several Sri Lankan Ministers and members of Parliament attended the session.

These projects, completed with Indian assistance, exemplify India's strong and multifaceted development cooperation profile in Sri Lanka, said a tweet from the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

There was handing over of 1235 houses to beneficiaries under Indian Housing Project Phase III: 

"This project is a part of India's biggest grant assistance project in Sri Lanka for the construction of 50,000 houses at a cost of INR 1372 crore across various districts in Sri Lanka," a source said. 

Under Phase III of the Housing Projects, a total of 4000 houses are to be built. Out of which, over 3500 houses have been completed, construction of around 400 houses is going on, and 63 houses are yet to start. 

During this visit of the Foreign Secretary, 1235 completed houses under this Phase III were handed over.  

On Monday, the Foreign Secretary called on Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Prime Minister, and held a productive discussion on further consolidating the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka partnership. He held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Prof GL Peiris.

"Discussions focused on early conclusion of projects, proposals and enhancing connectivity that would help accelerate Sri Lanka's economic recovery," officials said.

The Foreign Secretary also called on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and discussed India-Sri Lanka's economic and commercial ties and post-pandemic economic recovery by taking forward joint projects of mutual benefit.

During his stay, Mr Shringla also inaugurated Vada Central Ladies College in Vadamarachi, Northern Province: Aligned with the Government of India's continued commitment to build improved educational infrastructure in Sri Lanka, a project for the renovation of 27 schools in Northern Province was taken up by the Government of India.

He also inaugurated Saraswathi Central College in Pusellawa, Kandy district. 

This project is being implemented as a High Impact Community Development Project under Indian grant assistance.