External Affairs Minister Professor G.L.Peiris, at his meeting with Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, in Hyderabad yesterday (10th July), expressed appreciation of the action taken on the previous day to release all 41 Sri Lankan fishermen held in Andhra, so that there are now no Sri Lankan fishermen at all held in custody in that State.
On the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, 175 Indian fishermen had been released by Sri Lanka since the assumption of office by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Minister said.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, noting with satisfaction the vibrant relationship between Sri Lanka and Andhra, referred to the construction of a replica of the Aukana Buddha Statue at the Parwatharama Buddhist Theme Park at Nagarjuna Sagar in Andhra Pradesh, now nearing completion. The Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Chennai had co-ordinated this project with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh.
The Chief Minister was delighted about the vigorous response of Sri Lanka Tourism which will be participating in the Travel and Tourism Fair scheduled to be held later this week in Hyderabad. This is the leading exhibition in India for the travel and tourism industry.
Minister Peiris and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu discussed in detail the opportunities available for enhanced collaboration between Sri Lanka and Andhra Pradesh with regard to trade, investment and tourism. They identified information technology and the pharmaceutical industry as two especially appropriate sectors for co-operation. The Chief Minister proposed that increasing use be made of the expertise acquired by Andhra Pradesh in the agriculture sector. The importance of direct airline connectivity between Colombo and Hyderabad, from the perspective of business relations as well as tourism, was also discussed. Prof. Peiris pointed out that religious tourism is of special importance because of Dhanyakataka, the site of a great Buddhist temple built in pre-Mauryan times.
As an example of a highly successful Sri Lankan investment in Andhra, Shri Chandrababu Naidu referred to the Brandix Apparel City in Vishakapatnam as one of the most competitive manufacturing destinations in Asia and a global leader in sustainable development.
Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
11 July 2014
