By Amura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) met India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, who took to Twitter to say it was a productive meeting.
“Pleased to meet @anuradisanayake, Leader of NPP and JVP of Sri Lanka this morning. A good discussion on our bilateral relationship and the mutual benefits from its further deepening. Also spoke about Sri Lanka’s economic challenges and the path ahead,” wrote Jaishankar.
Meanwhile, AKD took to Twitter to tell about his meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, which took place at Sardar Patel Bhavan. He said that regional security and bilateral issues were discussed.
Media Observations
Several mainstream media outlets, including The Hindu newspaper, have observed that the Indian government’s invitation is a clear indication that the Indian leaders are looking at the leader of the National People’s Power, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, due to his popularity and acceptance in Sri Lankan politics.
Many political commentators point out that this is a significant triumph for the NPP while being a strategic move on the Indian side.
“With matters heating up in the geopolitical arena, India needs to have everyone on its side, and having cordial relations with an emerging political force in the neighbourhood is not only timely but also wise,” said an Indian broadcast journalist speaking to Lanka News Line.
Reactions Within Sri Lanka
Meanwhile, all NPP opponents have taken serious note of the Indian invitation, as it indicates a degree of acceptance from the strongest regional power.
A political columnist commented, “For the traditional politicians of Sri Lanka as well as their supporters, this may be a bitter pill to swallow, something unbearable. This is why Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake wearing a European dress in a meeting with the leaders of India, which is one of the strongest countries in the region as well as the world, has been criticized by his opponents.”
There were social media reports that made references to “Thambuthegama Anura is now in full suit” and “AKD is usually seen wearing casual clothes, and it is suggested that he tries to appear respectable when meeting with Indian leaders.” However, the columnist dismissed these remarks as “low-level criticism by political opportunists, and something that cannot be expected from sections engaged in tolerant and intelligent politics.”
“For his supporters, whether Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is a popular figure among the majority of Sri Lankan people, is in a suit or not is irrelevant. What is important for them is the invitation by the Indian leaders and the fact that he was given recognition as a leader. Also, they will not be swayed by these low attacks of the opponents. After all, most people in Sri Lanka are not part of the tie-coat culture,” added the columnist.
