Trichy: Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader and Kandy MP Rauff Hakeem urged India to make industrial investments in Sri Lanka. He also called for an amicable resolution to the fishing conflict between the two countries.
Economic Challenges and Need for Investment
Addressing reporters at Trichy airport on Thursday, Hakeem said the West Asia war has caused a sharp decline in the value of the Sri Lankan currency, severely affecting importers. While Sri Lanka is trying to pay its IMF debts, he noted that the country’s foreign exchange reserves are rapidly depleting due to essential imports such as fuel and agricultural fertilizers and facing an additional debt burden.
To manage the debt, he emphasised the need to boost exports and attract foreign investments. “Investors from Tamil Nadu and other southern states should come forward to invest in Sri Lanka. Our government is ready to provide generous incentives and a favourable environment for this. We are eagerly looking forward to it,” he said.
Fishing Conflict Resolution
When asked about the ongoing fishing disputes and impounding of Indian vessels, he stressed a humanitarian approach. “Both countries should deal with the fisherfolk conflict with humanitarian considerations. People’s livelihoods must be kept in mind beyond the question of legal violations. We would like an amicable solution with some mutual compromises,” he said.
He called for talks among governments involving Tamil Nadu, India, Sri Lanka, and the fishing communities to find a lasting resolution.
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