The new Indian envoy to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay has assured Sri Lankan President of India’s continued cooperation with Sri Lanka, including for economic recovery, in all manners possible.

Baglay, the new High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, presented his Letter of Credence (credentials) to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today forenoon, in a ceremony held through video-conferencing.

The High Commissioner conveyed President Rajapaksa and the people of Sri Lanka warm greetings from the leadership and the people of India, the High Commission said.

The High Commissioner has thanked the President for arranging the traditional ceremony in an innovative manner and stated that the use of technology to overcome challenges, such as those posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, has been stressed by the leadership of India as well as Sri Lanka.

Baglay pointed out that today’s novel initiative underscores the significance the two countries attach to their friendly and multi-faceted ties, and also highlights India’s continued commitment to closely work with Sri Lanka in facing common challenges.

Stressing the immense significance attached by India to its relations with Sri Lanka, he reiterated the abiding commitment at the highest levels in India to developing and strengthening the existing close friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Highlighting the shared Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka and India, the High Commissioner stated that he had prayed to Lord Buddha through video calls earlier this week to Most Venerable Mahanayake of Asgiriya Chapter and Most Venerable Anunayake of Malwatte Chapter, for peace and prosperity of the two peoples.

The High Commissioner recalled that as Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbor, India has been the first responder when Sri Lanka faced difficulties, be it natural calamities, or the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In this context, the High Commissioner noted that India has sent four consignments of essential life-saving medicines and medical material weighing over 25 tonnes to Sri Lanka in the last few weeks as goodwill support from the people of India.

In addition, Sri Lankan health professionals have also participated in various online-training programs organized by eminent health institutions in India on management of COVID 19 pandemic.

Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to jointly fight COVID-19 pandemic, the High Commissioner assured President Rajapaksa of India’s continued cooperation to Sri Lanka, including for economic recovery, in all manners possible.

The High Commissioner stated that he looked forward to working closely with the leadership of Sri Lanka for their further implementation as well as deepening India’s long-standing partnership with Sri Lanka as the closest maritime neighbors in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.

The new envoy, who arrived in Sri Lanka on May 08 on a special flight with a 12.5-tonne gift consignment of essential medicines and medical items from India, is currently observing the stipulated health protocols, at India House, the High Commission said.

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