India and Sri Lanka have agreed to have a meeting between the ministers for fisheries of the two countries at the earliest in a bid to finding a permanent solution to the fishermen issue. This was discussed between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and visiting Sri Lankan Minister for Development Strategy and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama, sources said today. Samarawickrama was on a two-day visit to the country, starting from July 4. “Swaraj emphasised the urgency of finding a permanent solution to the fishermen issue, recommended by the joint commission meeting in February 2016,” one of the sources said, adding it was agreed that the meeting between the ministers for fisheries would be held at the earliest. The two leaders also discussed ways to create an enabling environment for Indian industry to invest in Sri Lanka and reviewed the status of various projects, including the Sampur power plant, rehabilitation of Palaly airfield and Kankesanthurai harbor. Discussions also emphasised the neighborhood first policy between the two countries with Swaraj reiterating that India would like its economic growth trajectory to also lead to growth for Sri Lanka, the sources said.
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