India on Saturday announced a $15 million grant to Sri Lanka, in a major push strengthen Buddhist cultural link between New Delhi and Colombo. The development is the key outcome of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapakse's over-an-hour long virtual meet.

The joint secretary of Indian ocean region in the Ministry of External Affairs, Amit Narang, to this end said, "​Testifying to the long-standing civilisational links and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Modi announced grant assistance of US$15 million for the promotion of Buddhist ties between the two countries. The grant will assist in deepening people-to-people linkages between the two countries in the sphere of Buddhism."

The grant will be used for constructions and renovation of Buddhist cultural sites in the Indian ocean country, archaeological cooperation, the reciprocal study of Lord Buddha’s relics, strengthening of Buddhist scholarship, and supporting the clergy.

India will also facilitate the visit of a delegation of Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka in the first inaugural flight to Kushinagar. Recently, in a bid to promote Buddhist tourism, Kushinagar airport was designated as an international airport. Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is the place where it is believed that Buddha attained Parinirvana or death after achieving Nirvana.

India is already engaged in a number of cultural projects in the country including the building of the Jaffna Cultural Centre. In fact, during the virtual summit, PM Mahinda extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate the project.

India on Saturday announced a $15 million grant to Sri Lanka, in a major push strengthen Buddhist cultural link between New Delhi and Colombo. The development is the key outcome of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapakse's over-an-hour long virtual meet.

India on Saturday announced a $15 million grant to Sri Lanka, in a major push strengthen Buddhist cultural link between New Delhi and Colombo. The development is the key outcome of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapakse's over-an-hour long virtual meet. The joint secretary of Indian ocean region in the Ministry of External Affairs, Amit Narang, to this end said, "Testifying to the long-standing civilisational links and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Modi announced grant assistance of US$15 million for the promotion of Buddhist ties between the two countries. The grant will assist in deepening people-to-people linkages between the two countries in the sphere of Buddhism." The grant will be used for constructions and renovation of Buddhist cultural sites in the Indian ocean country, archaeological cooperation, the reciprocal study of Lord Buddha’s relics, strengthening of Buddhist scholarship, and supporting the clergy. India will also facilitate the visit of a delegation of Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka in the first inaugural flight to Kushinagar. Recently, in a bid to promote Buddhist tourism, Kushinagar airport was designated as an international airport. Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is the place where it is believed that Buddha attained Parinirvana or death after achieving Nirvana. India is already engaged in a number of cultural projects in the country including the building of the Jaffna Cultural Centre. In fact, during the virtual summit, PM Mahinda extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate the project.

India announces $15M grant for Sri Lanka to strengthening Buddhist ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, covering the entire expanse of bilateral ties and with a focus on further expanding cooperation in key areas.

PM Modi holds talks with Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa

Indian Coast Guard on Saturday tweeted that firefighting to put out the fire at oil tanker MT New Diamond was still on. The Coast Guard added that there was 'no oil slick'. The oil tanker ship contains around 300,000 tonnes of crude oil and an oil spill would be disasterous.

Sri Lanka oil tanker fire: Firefighting continues, tweets Indian Coast Guard

Sri Lanka is prepared to hold the general elections on Wednesday to elect a 225 member parliament with strict health guidelines amidst the COVID-19 situation.

Why India is keeping a close watch on Sri Lanka Polls | India-Sri Lanka | South-Asia

Sri Lanka is re-thinking a port deal with Japan and India. This year, The Sri Lankan Government shelved a railway project with Japan. There is resistance to accept a $480 million grant from the US government.

Gravitas: China pushing India out of a Sri Lankan port?

The year 2018 would be etched in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</a>'s history as the most turbulent one politically as the cash-strapped country saw an unprecedented power struggle between the president and the prime minister, causing much concern in major world capitals, including in New Delhi.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-sirisena-meets-party-organisers-hints-2019-may-be-election-year-186363">President Maithripala Sirisena</a>'s dramatic move to sack <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wickremesinghe-acknowledges-differences-with-sirisena-on-ministerial-appointments-185841">Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe</a> and install former strongman <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-pm-mahinda-rajapaksa-becomes-sri-lankas-main-opposition-leader-185083">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a> in his place following differences over policy issues left the country without a functioning government for nearly two months.

Rajapaksa's return to power drew concern in India that China would tighten its grip on the country. The veteran leader, who is credited for ending the brutal civil war with the LTTE in 2009, is under intense criticism for his decade-long authoritarian rule.

However, a Supreme court verdict forced President Sirisena to reinstate United National Party (UNP) leader Wickremesinghe on December 16, ending Rajapaksa brief regime.

During the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-political-crisis-ends-as-president-sirisena-names-new-cabinet-185567">political crisis</a>, New Delhi sought to maintain a hands-off approach not wanting to be seen as taking sides. India chose to stay non-committal when Rajapaksa succeeded Wickremesinghe, who is seen as pro-India.

Following Wickremesinghe's re-appointment, India welcomed the resolution of the political crisis and exuded confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to move on in an upward trajectory.

The US, the European Union, Australia and Norway also welcomed the peaceful resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka came closer to China under Rajapaksa's decade-long tenure as the president, with Beijing pumping millions of dollars in the country's infrastructure since the end of the civil war.

However, some of the projects had been reversed under the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government as Chinese debt hit the country's economy.

China sees Lanka as crucial in its ambitious plan to expand trade routes, while India is concerned about growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.

Despite India's concerns over China's forays in Sri Lanka, including its acquisition of the strategic port of Hambantota, New Delhi and Colombo kept their relationship warm in 2018 with high-level exchanges and signing of pacts.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe visited India in October and held talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on ways to deepen the bilateral ties.

During the talks, Modi and Wickremesinghe reviewed the progress in the implementation of various decisions taken during the high-level exchanges in the recent past, including Modi's visit to Sri Lanka in May 2017. They also discussed the progress of India-assisted development projects in the island nation.

The two countries signed an agreement for construction of 1,200 houses through 50 model villages, using Indian grant assistance of 60 crore Srilankan rupees.

The long-standing issue of fishermen, however, remained unresolved as India and Sri Lanka could not find common ground.

Both sides have agreed to set up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to expedite the release and handing over of fishermen in each other's custody on completion of respective legal and procedural formalities.

During the year, the Lankan economy grew at a slower than expected. The economy suffered due to nearly two month of political turmoil that led to government dysfunction.

Sri Lanka owes over US $50 billion to foreign lenders, which is 77 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

The country has to pay back more than US $4 billion of its foreign loans, which just got harder as the political turmoil has sent the rupee to its lowest ever level against the US dollar. Sri Lankan rupee weakened nearly 17 per cent this year.

Though the reinstatement of Wickremesinghe has brought some hope in Sri Lanka, the political stability in the country in the coming months would be decided by how the prime minister and the president work together despite their differences over policy issues.

This will also determine the path of India's ties with Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

The year 2018 would be etched in Sri Lanka's history as the most turbulent one politically as the cash-strapped country saw an unprecedented power struggle between the president and the prime minister, causing much concern in major world capitals, including in New Delhi.

The year 2018 would be etched in Sri Lanka's history as the most turbulent one politically as the cash-strapped country saw an unprecedented power struggle between the president and the prime minister, causing much concern in major world capitals, including in New Delhi. President Maithripala Sirisena's dramatic move to sack Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and install former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place following differences over policy issues left the country without a functioning government for nearly two months. Rajapaksa's return to power drew concern in India that China would tighten its grip on the country. The veteran leader, who is credited for ending the brutal civil war with the LTTE in 2009, is under intense criticism for his decade-long authoritarian rule. However, a Supreme court verdict forced President Sirisena to reinstate United National Party (UNP) leader Wickremesinghe on December 16, ending Rajapaksa brief regime. During the political crisis, New Delhi sought to maintain a hands-off approach not wanting to be seen as taking sides. India chose to stay non-committal when Rajapaksa succeeded Wickremesinghe, who is seen as pro-India. Following Wickremesinghe's re-appointment, India welcomed the resolution of the political crisis and exuded confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to move on in an upward trajectory. The US, the European Union, Australia and Norway also welcomed the peaceful resolution of the political crisis in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka came closer to China under Rajapaksa's decade-long tenure as the president, with Beijing pumping millions of dollars in the country's infrastructure since the end of the civil war. However, some of the projects had been reversed under the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government as Chinese debt hit the country's economy. China sees Lanka as crucial in its ambitious plan to expand trade routes, while India is concerned about growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean. Despite India's concerns over China's forays in Sri Lanka, including its acquisition of the strategic port of Hambantota, New Delhi and Colombo kept their relationship warm in 2018 with high-level exchanges and signing of pacts. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe visited India in October and held talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on ways to deepen the bilateral ties. During the talks, Modi and Wickremesinghe reviewed the progress in the implementation of various decisions taken during the high-level exchanges in the recent past, including Modi's visit to Sri Lanka in May 2017. They also discussed the progress of India-assisted development projects in the island nation. The two countries signed an agreement for construction of 1,200 houses through 50 model villages, using Indian grant assistance of 60 crore Srilankan rupees. The long-standing issue of fishermen, however, remained unresolved as India and Sri Lanka could not find common ground. Both sides have agreed to set up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to expedite the release and handing over of fishermen in each other's custody on completion of respective legal and procedural formalities. During the year, the Lankan economy grew at a slower than expected. The economy suffered due to nearly two month of political turmoil that led to government dysfunction. Sri Lanka owes over US $50 billion to foreign lenders, which is 77 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP). The country has to pay back more than US $4 billion of its foreign loans, which just got harder as the political turmoil has sent the rupee to its lowest ever level against the US dollar. Sri Lankan rupee weakened nearly 17 per cent this year. Though the reinstatement of Wickremesinghe has brought some hope in Sri Lanka, the political stability in the country in the coming months would be decided by how the prime minister and the president work together despite their differences over policy issues. This will also determine the path of India's ties with Sri Lanka.

2018 will be remembered for worst political crisis in Lanka's history

Sixteen Indian fishermen were nabbed by the Sri Lankan navy in two separate instances for crossing the maritime border.

The arrests were made following a little more than a week after both New Delhi and Colombo released captive fishermen in a bid to normalise bilateral relations.

The two countries, which are separated by 12 nautical miles, have been embroiled in a terse fishing dispute over the last few years.

India says the island nation have been guilty of arresting people fishing in the Palk Strait, and Sri Lanka accuses India of using mechanised trawlers that are damaging to the ecosystem.&nbsp;

In both incidents, eight fishermen each were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The first batch of people was nabbed&nbsp;for poaching in the seas northwest of Analathivu Island off Jaffna, while the second group were caught in the seas north of Mannar, Colombo Page reported.

Transgression of IMBL has been a prickly point for the neighbouring countries.

Relations had hit a low point in 2015 when the then prime minister Ranil Wickramsinghe&nbsp;had told a television channel that &quot;if Indian fishermen cross the sea boundary, Sri Lankan navy can shoot them&quot; -- comments that were condemned by human rights activists and was also objected strongly by New Delhi.

But recently, the two South Asian nations have endeavoured to erase the creases between them.&nbsp;

On March 13,&nbsp;77 Indian and 12 Sri Lankan fishermen in each other&#39;s custody were repatriated following the diplomatic tension triggered by the killing of a fisherman a week earlier.

(WION)

The arrests come after the two countries decided to repatriate fishermen held in each other's custody

Sixteen Indian fishermen were nabbed by the Sri Lankan navy in two separate instances for crossing the maritime border. The arrests were made following a little more than a week after both New Delhi and Colombo released captive fishermen in a bid to normalise bilateral relations. The two countries, which are separated by 12 nautical miles, have been embroiled in a terse fishing dispute over the last few years. India says the island nation have been guilty of arresting people fishing in the Palk Strait, and Sri Lanka accuses India of using mechanised trawlers that are damaging to the ecosystem. In both incidents, eight fishermen each were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The first batch of people was nabbed for poaching in the seas northwest of Analathivu Island off Jaffna, while the second group were caught in the seas north of Mannar, Colombo Page reported. Transgression of IMBL has been a prickly point for the neighbouring countries. Relations had hit a low point in 2015 when the then prime minister Ranil Wickramsinghe had told a television channel that "if Indian fishermen cross the sea boundary, Sri Lankan navy can shoot them" -- comments that were condemned by human rights activists and was also objected strongly by New Delhi. But recently, the two South Asian nations have endeavoured to erase the creases between them. On March 13, 77 Indian and 12 Sri Lankan fishermen in each other's custody were repatriated following the diplomatic tension triggered by the killing of a fisherman a week earlier. (WION)

16 Indian fishermen nabbed by Sri Lanka for crossing maritime boundary

Sri Lanka&#39;s navy fatally shot an Indian fisherman off the coast of India&#39;s southern Tamil Nadu state, a development that threatens to sour relations between the two&nbsp;countries.

Three other fishermen were injured during the shooting in Adambalam, part of India-controlled waters, Indian media reports suggested.

The latest flash point comes a week after the Sri Lankan Navy detained 15 Indian fishermen and took away their equipment and fishing gear.

The incident comes on the heels of Tamil Nadu&#39;s chief minister E. Palanisami writing a letter to India&#39;s federal government, shedding light about Colombo&#39;s repeated harassment of fishermen from the state.

The chief minister&#39;s letter had highlighted how Sri Lanka was wantonly detaining fishermen in the past few months.

The two countries, which are separated by 12 nautical miles, have been embroiled in a terse fishing dispute over the last few years.

India says the island nation have been guilty of arresting people fishing in the Palk Strait, and Sri Lanka accuses India of using mechanised trawlers that are damaging to the ecosystem.&nbsp;

Colombo in the past has urged the Indian side to ban the trawlers but New Delhi has remained reticent about it.

Sri Lanka also cites the advantage the Indian fishermen have when they use mechanised trawlers. They claim the Indian fishermen often transgress the International Maritime Border and deprive their fishermen of their daily catch.

Relations had hit a low point in 2015 when the then prime minister Ranil Wickramsinghe&nbsp;had told a television channel that &quot;if Indian fishermen cross the sea boundary, Sri Lankan navy can shoot them&quot; -- comments that were condemned by human rights activists and was also objected strongly by New Delhi.

(WION with inputs from ANI)

The latest flash point comes a week after the Sri Lankan Navy detained 15 Indian fishermen and took away their equipment and fishing gear

Sri Lanka's navy fatally shot an Indian fisherman off the coast of India's southern Tamil Nadu state, a development that threatens to sour relations between the two countries. Three other fishermen were injured during the shooting in Adambalam, part of India-controlled waters, Indian media reports suggested. The latest flash point comes a week after the Sri Lankan Navy detained 15 Indian fishermen and took away their equipment and fishing gear. The incident comes on the heels of Tamil Nadu's chief minister E. Palanisami writing a letter to India's federal government, shedding light about Colombo's repeated harassment of fishermen from the state. The chief minister's letter had highlighted how Sri Lanka was wantonly detaining fishermen in the past few months. The two countries, which are separated by 12 nautical miles, have been embroiled in a terse fishing dispute over the last few years. India says the island nation have been guilty of arresting people fishing in the Palk Strait, and Sri Lanka accuses India of using mechanised trawlers that are damaging to the ecosystem. Colombo in the past has urged the Indian side to ban the trawlers but New Delhi has remained reticent about it. Sri Lanka also cites the advantage the Indian fishermen have when they use mechanised trawlers. They claim the Indian fishermen often transgress the International Maritime Border and deprive their fishermen of their daily catch. Relations had hit a low point in 2015 when the then prime minister Ranil Wickramsinghe had told a television channel that "if Indian fishermen cross the sea boundary, Sri Lankan navy can shoot them" -- comments that were condemned by human rights activists and was also objected strongly by New Delhi. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Sri Lanka's navy fatally shoots one Indian fisherman, wounds three

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