Your Excellency Ashok Kumar Kantha, High Commissioner of India
Honorable Ministers
Leaders of Political Parties
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to be present with you this evening at the celebrations to mark the Republic Day of India. On behalf of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse and on behalf of the Government and the People of Sri Lanka, I have the honour and privilege of extending our sincere greetings and felicitations to your Excellency, and, to the Government and the People of the Republic of India on this happy occasion of the 62nd Anniversary of India's Republic Day.

As close neighbours, Sri Lanka and India enjoy a deep and abiding commitment to fostering their friendship based on common civilizational values, socio- cultural contacts and shared historical experiences spanning over thousands of years. It is source of immense satisfaction that these bonds of friendship have today evolved into a comprehensive, multifaceted partnership.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Sri Lanka attaches the highest importance to its relations with India. The political leadership of the two countries nurtures this friendship through sustained interaction and a sharing of views on developments both national and international. The State visit to India of His Excellency President Rajapaksa in June last year as well as the subsequent visit of His Excellency S.M. Krishna, Minister of External Affairs to Sri Lanka were important for the further enhancement of Indo — Sri Lanka ties.

The people to people contacts between our two nations have strengthened dramatically during the past years. The strong connectivity between our two countries with many flights every week has contributed to this development and promoted useful cultural, intellectual and academic exchanges. This will further strengthen with the recently signed agreement allowing for the operation of Ferry Services between our two countries. The opening of the Consulates General of India in Hambantota as well as in Jaffna, is another significant step in our relations.

India is Sri Lanka's largest trading partner in the region. The Free Trade Agreement between Sri Lanka and India is providing mutual benefits to both countries by enhancing the trade volumes between our two countries significantly.

Our two nations share a common commitment to regional co-operation. It is for Sri Lanka a matter of deep satisfaction that we are able to work closely in this regard, towards the further strengthening of the SAARC and the BIMSTEC processes. We also welcome India's commitment to multilateralism and look forward to the continued due recognition of India's political, economic and social strengths, that will in turn enable India to contribute even more to the success of the United Nations.

The people of Sri Lanka will always remember India's support to the unity, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. The readily extended assistance as well as rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance offered to Sri Lanka following the end of terrorism bears testimony to the close relations. We recognize with appreciation that in the provision of medical aid, in de-mining, humanitarian assistance to the displaced and infrastructure restoration, the Government of India has been in the forefront, complementing and supporting our own efforts.

This spirit of generous assistance was manifested yet again with the donation of relief items worth US $ one million, for persons displaced or otherwise affected by the recent floods.

It is our fervent wish that this multi faceted bilateral relationship between our two countries would continue to grow further and be consolidated even more for the mutual benefit and well being of our two people.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I now invite you to join me in a toasting on this happy occasion.

To the well being of the People of India and,

To the further strengthening of Sri Lanka — India friendship

Thank you