SL-India to develop regional airports in Jaffna and Batti: PM

• Wickremesinghe, in rare Facebook post, gives details of discussions with Modi
• Tri-lateral talks between SL, India and Maldives on regional security mooted 
• PM requests India to work closely with local security forces 
• India-funded projects to be expedited, economic cooperation to continue 
• Regional airports to be developed in Jaffna and Batticaloa  

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe took to Facebook yesterday to give details of his discussions with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Sunday, which included talks of expediting Indian-funded projects, and developing regional airports in Jaffna and Batticaloa.  

Wickremesinghe thanked Modi for visiting Sri Lanka, and thanked him for this show of support towards the country, which “will serve to strengthen confidence and encourage more people to visit our nation.”

“During his trip, we discussed matters including the strengthening of regional security through reviving tri-lateral talks between Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives. I also requested that India work closely with Sri Lanka’s security forces, providing them with counter-terrorism training and logistical support,” Wickremesinghe said in the Facebook post. 

“I assured Mr. Modi that any Indo-Lanka projects which are facing delays will be expedited. A further series of joint initiatives between our two nations is being planned, to ensure continued economic cooperation. The development of the Jaffna and Batticaloa airports as regional airports was also discussed.”

Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, following the lifting of the travel advisories by many countries including the UK, France and China, will serve as a boost for the tourism industry, Wickremesinghe added.