Sri Lankan foreign minister meets Khurshid

Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris Wednesday held talks with his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid during which they reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including the issues related to fishermen and development partnership projects being undertaken by India.

The meeting here between the two ministers was in the context of regular meetings between the two countries.

The ministers assessed positively the recent meeting in Chennai between the fishermen associations of both countries as a first step in the right direction and agreed to consider the proposals put forward by the associations, according to official sources.

Khurshid "emphasised that India attaches the highest importance to the safety, security and well-being of Indian fishermen and thanked the Sri Lankan minister for his personal efforts in ensuring the release of the Indian fishermen", the sources added.

It was agreed that the "both the governments will remain engaged to ensure that fishermen on both sides can continue to pursue their livelihood in a safe, secure and sustainable manner".

The ministers discussed issues related to the progress of some major long-term developmental projects being undertaken by India.

The second phase of the flagship housing project involving construction of 43,000 houses under the owner-driven model is underway, with more than 10,000 houses already completed in 2013 in Sri Lanka's Northern Province.

Peiris's visit comes days after that of Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne.