Sri Lanka signs seven pacts with India

Sri Lanka and India Wednesday inked seven agreements on key areas including security, women’s affairs, culture, power and infrastructure in the presence of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, President’s Media Unit said.

On legal matters, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga for Sri Lanka and Indian Secretary of Home Affairs Mr. G. K. Pillai signed agreements on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners and on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters.

Sri Lanka and India agreed to renew the Memorandum of Understanding on SDP Schemes. The agreement was signed by the Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris and Indian Minister of External Affairs Mr. S. M. Krishna.

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam and Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao signed a MoU to set up a Women’s Trade Facilitation Centre and Community Learning Centre and renewed agreements on a Cultural Exchange Programmes and Interconnection of Electricity Grids.

General Manager Sri Lanka Railways P. P. Wijesekara and Managing Director IRCON Mohan Tiwari signed MoU on laying a Thalaimannar-Madhu Railway Line.

The two countries discussed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which is on hold for two years since its inception due to the resistance from a section of Sri Lankan business leaders and politicians. Sri Lankan President has promised not to sign the CEPA without revisions.