• Prez says differences must not become disputes
• Congratulates India on 75th Independence Day

BY Buwanajee Coralage    President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasised the importance of the relations between India and Sri Lanka yesterday (15) on the 75th Independence Day of India, calling it “symbiotic” and referring to the two nations as “two sides of the same coin”. “Our relationship is not merely one between two countries; we’ve gone beyond that, having a common heritage. I’ve always said that we are two sides of a single coin – it is not possible to split a coin for one side to fall one way and the other to fall on the other way. Whatever it is, history has put us together. This relationship can be closely compared to a symbiotic relationship, so when we are both marking our 75th anniversary of Independence, let us commit ourselves to further strengthening our relationship,” said Wickremesinghe, joining the ceremonial  procession conducted by the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) to mark the first-ever Dornier 228 Maritime Patrol Aircraft gifted to the SLAF by the Indian Navy. Addressing the gathering, the President congratulated India on its 75th anniversary of Independence, while emphasising the common traits shared by the two countries, and highlighted that India and Sri Lanka, being two nations ruled by two governments, should be mindful “not to turn our differences into disputes”. The President stated that with this start of joint co-operation of the Sri Lanka Airforce, Navy, and the Indian Navy in maritime surveillance will reinforce the relationship, as neighbouring countries sharing common issues. Furthermore, he accentuated that Sri Lanka and India should always maintain a close diplomatic bond to consolidate on common issues, not only between the two countries, but also in the region. “My advice to rising politicians from Sri Lanka, those who aspire for higher office, is to get to know your Indian colleagues well. We have many common viewpoints, while sharing common issues due to our close proximity; not only issues that pertain to Indo-Lanka relations, but also the region and to the globe. On many an occasion, it has been easier for us to come to agreement or have a similar viewpoint with India, and it is with those that we consolidate.”