Ques: The 9th Session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission was held at-
(a) New Delhi
(b) Colombo
(c) Mumbai
(d) Jaipur
Ans (b)
Related facts:
- External Affairs Minister of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, led an inter-ministerial delegation to Colombo from February 5-6, 2016 for the 9th Session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission.
- While Minister Swaraj visited Sri Lanka in March 2015 prior to the visit of the Prime Minister of India.
- She co-chaired the Joint Commission meeting on February 5, 2016 with Hon’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mangala Samaraweera.
- The Joint Commission meeting, which was held after a gap of three years, reviewed the progress and developments in bilateral relations since the 8th Session held on January 22, 2013.
- The Joint Commission acknowledged the depth, intensity and uniqueness of the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka relations encompassing all spheres and founded upon civilization and close people-to-people linkages.
- In the sector of tourism, the second meeting of the Joint Working Group on Tourism will be held in mid-2016 to take forward the collaboration on establishing the Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist Circuit in South Asia.
- The Joint Commission also took stock of the Festival of India “Sangam” as a celebration of the shared civilizational heritage between the two countries.
- The Joint Commission acknowledged the importance of cooperation in counter terrorism and agreed on the need for the two countries to work together.
- Both sides agreed to find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and the External Affairs Minister of India agreed to schedule the 10th Joint Commission meeting in February 2017 in India.
- On February 6, 2016, Minister Swaraj inaugurated the exhibition “Rise of Digital India” at the BMICH, which showcases advances made by India in the information technology and the digital revolution over the years.
- During her visit, Minister Swaraj met Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka; Hon’ble Prime Minister, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Ms. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, former President of Sri Lanka
Reference:
http://www.mea.gov.in/outoging-visit-detail.htm?26328/Remarks+by+External+Affairs+Minister+at+the+Inauguration+of+Exhibition+on+Rise+of+Digital+India+in+Colombo+6+February+2016
http://www.mea.gov.in/outoging-visit-detail.htm?26330/Visit+of+External+Affairs+Minister+to+Sri+Lanka+February+56+2016