Colombo, February 22 (newsin.asia): India and Sri Lanka on Friday signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to establish a Business Centre for ICT incubators/ accelerators in
Jaffna through a grant of SLR 250 million (US$ 1. 4 million) from the Government of India.
The MoU was signed by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H. E. Mr. Taranjit
Singh Sandhu, and Secretary, Ministry of Development Strategies and International
Trade Mr. S. T. Kodikara, , at the Temple Trees in the presence of Prime Minister of Sri
Lanka Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, Minister and Deputy Minister of Development
Strategies and International Trade, Hon. Malik Samarawickrema, and Hon. Nalin Bandara
Jayamaha, Member of Parliament Hon. Mavai Senathirajah, Chairperson, Export
Development Board Mrs. Indira Malwatte and several other invited guests and senior
officials of Government of Sri Lanka.
This project is part of Government of India’s continued efforts to assist and
cooperate with Government of Sri Lanka in people-oriented development projects. The
Business Centre would provide opportunities and enhance the enabling environment for
Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other professional services in the
Northern region.
Besides, undertaking various development projects for rehabilitation and
resettlement, Government of India has constructed a total of 46000 houses in the region.
1990 Emergency Ambulance Services are operational in the Province. The ongoing
development projects in the Northern Province under Government of India’s grant
assistance include, construction of Cultural Centre in Jaffna, construction of school
buildings to 27 schools, construction of 3000 Rain Water Harvesting units and
construction of 25 model villages consisting of 600 houses among others.
Across the country India has completed more than 70 people-oriented
development projects and 20 such projects are currently under implementation. India’s
overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around
US$ 3 billion, out of which US$ 560 million is pure grant assistance.
(The featured picture at the top shows Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu speaks after signing the MoU for an Information Technology Park in Jaffna)
