Ajit Doval Holds Crucial Consultations with Sri Lankan Leaders Ahead of Presidential Election

In a significant diplomatic move, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval conducted a series of crucial consultations with Sri Lankan leaders on Friday, as the country approaches its presidential election scheduled for September 21. Doval, who is in Colombo to advance the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) initiative, met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and prominent presidential candidates Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

During his meeting with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat, discussions centered on the ongoing economic collaboration between Sri Lanka and India. The Presidential Media Division (PMD) reported that the talks emphasized strengthening bilateral economic ties.

In a separate meeting with Prime Minister Gunawardena at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday night, Doval highlighted the substantial potential for enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations. According to news portal Adaderana.lk, Doval expressed India’s interest in expanding cooperation and sought the Prime Minister’s insights on priority areas. Gunawardena identified the energy sector as a crucial area for collaboration and thanked India for its support in both large-scale and small-scale alternative energy projects.

Doval proposed that Sri Lanka could leverage its potential to generate surplus power, which could be sold to India, similar to Bhutan’s model. This initiative could provide Sri Lanka with considerable financial benefits.

Mano Ganesan, leader of a political party representing Tamils of Indian origin, highlighted that Doval’s discussions covered both security concerns and the future trajectory of India-Sri Lanka relations. Ganesan noted, “We held an important discussion and discussed both India and Sri Lanka security. He said India would work closely with any elected government in Sri Lanka.”

In addition to meetings with high-ranking officials, Doval also engaged with presidential candidates Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa earlier in the day. Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP), conveyed that their discussions focused on political relations and the current electoral climate. Premadasa, the main opposition leader, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the political dialogue.

The primary agenda of Doval’s visit was the signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), which aims to bolster regional security and cooperation.

As Sri Lanka navigates its upcoming election, Doval’s visit underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and Sri Lanka, highlighting both nations’ commitment to advancing mutual interests and regional stability.