India, Sri Lanka discuss problems of fishermen

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera on Friday co-chaired the Ninth session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission and discussed the problems of fishermen and reviewed the Indian development assistance programmes there.

"Reviewing a multi faceted partnership. EAM @SushmaSwaraj & FM Samaraweera Co-Chair 9th India-Sri Lanka Jt Commission," tweeted Vikas Swarup, Official Spokesperson for Ministary of External Affairs.

The India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission was established in 1992 to address matters concerning bilateral cooperation.

The two countries also signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in various fields and signed 'agreed minutes' of the Ninth Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Commission.

In a series of tweets, Swarup said: "Sealing a special partnership. EAM @SushmaSwaraj and FM Samaraweera sign agreed minutes of the 9th Indo-SL JCM.

"Building a brighter future together. #IndiaSriLanka sign MoU for renovation of 27 schools in Northern Province

"MoU to construct surgical unit & supply med equipment to Teaching Hosp in Batticaloa furthers coop in health sector

Earlier, Swaraj called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees here this afternoon.

At the 50-minute-long meeting, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the Joint Commission mechanism is very important for bilateral relations and proposed that the meeting can he held annually.

He invited India to invest in Sri Lanka and to partner in the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Trincomalee. Premier Wickremesinghe also updated Swaraj on the political developments in the country.