{"id":78738,"date":"2022-07-26T00:09:21","date_gmt":"2022-07-26T04:09:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=78738"},"modified":"2022-07-26T20:41:06","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T00:41:06","slug":"indian-prime-minister-narendra-modi-sends-congratulatory-message-to-new-sri-lankan-president-ranil-wickremesinghe-days-after-chinese-president-xi-jinping-and-russian-president-vladimir-putin-sent-mess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=78738","title":{"rendered":"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends Congratulatory Message to New Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe days after Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent messages; Modi says India would continue to be supportive of the quest of the people of Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nBy<\/p>\n

Meera Srinivasan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a congratulatory message to Sri Lanka\u2019s newly elected President Ranil Wickremesinghe, nearly a week after his rise to the island nation\u2019s helm amid political upheaval triggered by a severe economic meltdown.<\/p>\n

Mr. Modi\u2019s outreach to Mr. Wickremesinghe follows messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Sri Lankan leader, who is counting on urgent international support to cope with the deepening crisis. The Indian High Commission in Colombo, which put out a tweet on July 20 \u2014 the day of Mr. Wickremesinghe\u2019s election in Parliament \u2014 noted the development but stopped short of congratulating him. This was hours after the Indian mission \u201ccategorically denied\u201d media reports of India attempting to \u201cinfluence\u201d the key parliament vote.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have assumed the high office at a critical time for Sri Lanka,\u201d Mr. Modi said in the letter dated July 25. Expressing hope that Mr. Wickremesinghe\u2019s tenure would \u201cnurture\u201d economic stability and \u201cfulfill the aspirations of all citizens\u201d, the Indian Prime Minister said: \u201cAs a close friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka, India will continue to be supportive of the quest of the people of Sri Lanka for stability and economic recovery, through established democratic means, institutions and constitutional framework.\u201d <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The message reiterated India\u2019s emphasis on assisting the \u201cpeople of Sri Lanka\u201d. \u201cI look forward to working closely with you for the mutual benefit of our people,\u201d Mr. Modi said in the letter.
\nOn Tuesday, Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay paid \u201ca courtesy call\u201d on newly appointed Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry.<\/p>\n

Indian assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n

As Sri Lanka\u2019s economic crisis aggravated from the beginning of this year, India emerged its top creditor, stepping in with crucial assistance of $ 3.8 billion so far, by way of currency swaps, loan deferments and credit lines for essential imports. On Tuesday, a large consignment of rice, milk powder and medicines arrived as part of donations from the government of Tamil Nadu. This was the third consignment from the southern State, which has extended nearly 40,000 MT of rice, 500 MT of milk powder and more than 100 MT of medicines totalling some $ 22 million.<\/p>\n

After pre-emptively defaulting on its $ 51 billion-foreign debt in April, Colombo has been holding talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), hoping for a package that would enable its recovery. However, with the IMF indicating that its support would depend on Sri Lanka\u2019s creditors expressing confidence over the government\u2019s debt restructure strategy, the Wickremesinghe government is in urgent need for bridge financing to meet the requirements of the next few months.<\/p>\n

Growing concern<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the economic downturn is not Sri Lanka\u2019s only challenge, while the world closely tracks the prospects for political stability in the island. Although elected with an impressive majority in Parliament, Mr. Wickremesinghe faces considerable criticism from Sri Lankans who see him as an ally of the discredited Rajapaksas, who were ousted by stunning citizens’ protests. <\/p>\n

More recently, the military\u2019s ruthless pre-dawn raid at Colombo\u2019s main agitation site, just after he assumed charge, drew wide condemnation by the international community, including the United Nations. Protests against Mr. Wickremesinghe and the military assault on protesters continue in different parts of the country.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, over 150 academics and South Asia scholars from the world over released a statement urging Mr. Wickremesinghe to protect citizens\u2019 right to dissent. \u201cWickremasinghe was elected by Parliament to take on the presidency, which was vacated due to the non-violent pro-democracy movement against authoritarianism and failed governance.<\/p>\n

His decision to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors is deeply alarming and does not offer the prospect of Sri Lanka progressing beyond the current crisis it is in,\u201d the scholars said in a statement. Pointing to the Sri Lankan President\u2019s reference to protesters as \u201cfascists\u201d, the academics noted it was \u201ctotally inaccurate, inappropriate and damaging\u201d and that it \u201cweaponises the term to provide an excuse for the use of extreme force.\u201d<\/p>\n

Courtesy:The Hindu<\/em><\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Meera Srinivasan Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a congratulatory message to Sri Lanka\u2019s newly elected President Ranil Wickremesinghe, nearly a week after his rise to the island nation\u2019s helm amid political upheaval triggered by a severe economic meltdown. Mr. Modi\u2019s outreach to Mr. Wickremesinghe follows messages from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian …<\/p>\n

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