Editor's Pick: PM raises aspirations of Tamils with Lanka

India expects Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment and ensure a “life of dignity and respect” for its Tamil population, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. Welcoming Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to India, Mr. Modi said both sides had held talks on a number of infrastructure projects that could ensure greater connectivity between the two countries. He also announced a development assistance package for Tamils of Indian origin who are marking the 200th anniversary of their arrival in the island nation. “We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe presented his inclusive approach. We hope that Sri Lanka will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils. We expect that Sri Lanka will take forward the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace. We hope that Sri Lanka will fulfil its commitment to implement the Thirteenth Amendment and to hold Provincial Council elections,” Mr. Modi said delivering his remarks in Hindi. President Wickremesinghe expressed his government’s “profound appreciation” for the support that India has extended to Sri Lanka over the past year, which he described as the “most challenging period in Sri Lanka’s modern history”. Mr. Modi and Mr. Wickremesinghe spoke at the end of bilateral talks held at Hyderabad House where the two sides exchanged documents on cooperation in the field of animal husbandry, renewable energy, development projects in Trincomalee district in eastern Sri Lanka, and online payment services between the two sides. The MoU on Trincomalee is aimed at developing the port and its nearby areas as a “regional hub for industry, energy, including renewable energy,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said while briefing the media about the ongoing visit. The agreement on digital transactions was signed between Lanka Pay and ECI International to facilitate acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Sri Lanka. Mr. Modi announced a package of ₹75 crore for various development projects for the Tamil community of Indian origin. India will also contribute additionally for development programmes in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. The two sides adopted a vision document to enhance maritime, energy and people-to-people connectivity. Mr. Modi announced that a passenger ferry service will be launched soon to connect Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam and northern Sri Lanka’s Kankesanthurai. “We have decided to fast-track the work of connecting the electricity grids of both countries,” he announced. President Wickremesinghe said that his plan will “benefit all segments of Sri Lankan society”. The Hindu’s Editorials Belated outrage: On the Manipur violence and the top political response Clear-headed approach: On the judiciary, the police and the grant of bail The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Which day of the year is marked as World Drowning Prevention Day? July 25 August 4 July 31 July 22 To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 22 July 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( PM raises aspirations of Tamils with Lanka India expects Sri Lanka to [implement the 13th Amendment]( and ensure a “life of dignity and respect” for its Tamil population, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday. Welcoming Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to India, Mr. Modi said both sides had held talks on a number of infrastructure projects that could ensure [greater connectivity between the two countries](. He also announced a development assistance package for Tamils of Indian origin who are marking the 200th anniversary of their arrival in the island nation. “We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe presented his inclusive approach. We hope that Sri Lanka will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils. We expect that Sri Lanka will take forward the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace. We hope that Sri Lanka will fulfil its commitment to implement the Thirteenth Amendment and to hold Provincial Council elections,” Mr. Modi said delivering his remarks in Hindi. President Wickremesinghe expressed his government’s “profound appreciation” for the support that India has extended to Sri Lanka over the past year, which he described as the “most challenging period in Sri Lanka’s modern history”. Mr. Modi and Mr. Wickremesinghe spoke at the end of bilateral talks held at Hyderabad House where the two sides exchanged documents on cooperation in the field of animal husbandry, renewable energy, development projects in Trincomalee district in eastern Sri Lanka, and online payment services between the two sides. The MoU on Trincomalee is aimed at developing the port and its nearby areas as a “regional hub for industry, energy, including renewable energy,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra [said while briefing the media about the ongoing visit](. The agreement on digital transactions was signed between Lanka Pay and ECI International to facilitate acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Sri Lanka. Mr. Modi announced a package of ₹75 crore for various development projects for the Tamil community of Indian origin. India will also contribute additionally for development programmes in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. The two sides adopted a vision document to enhance maritime, energy and people-to-people connectivity. Mr. Modi announced that a passenger ferry service will be launched soon to connect Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam and northern Sri Lanka’s Kankesanthurai. “We have decided to fast-track the work of connecting the electricity grids of both countries,” he announced. President Wickremesinghe said that his plan will “benefit all segments of Sri Lankan society”. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Belated outrage: On the Manipur violence and the top political response]( [Arrow][Clear-headed approach: On the judiciary, the police and the grant of bail]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Which day of the year is marked as World Drowning Prevention Day? - July 25 - August 4 - July 31 - July 22 To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here](. [Sign up for free]( [[Semiconductor tech: What exactly is India going to manufacture?] Semiconductor tech: What exactly is India going to manufacture?]( [[When the river rose in Delhi] When the river rose in Delhi]( [[An Internet ban will not restore peace in Manipur] An Internet ban will not restore peace in Manipur]( [[Supreme Court seeks ED’s response to Senthilbalaji’s plea against its power to take him into custody] Supreme Court seeks ED’s response to Senthilbalaji’s plea against its power to take him into custody]( Copyright @ 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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