<span style="color: #222222;">The new High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Mr Gopal Baglay presented his Letter of credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, in a ceremony held through video-conferencing.  </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The High Commissioner thanked the President for arranging the traditional ceremony in an innovative manner and stated that the use of technology to overcome challenges, has been stressed by the leadership of India as well as Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner conveyed to President and the people of Sri Lanka warm greetings from the leadership and the people of India.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' Stressing the immense significance attached by India to its relations with Sri Lanka, he reiterated the abiding commitment at the highest levels in India to develop and strengthen the existing close friendly ties and cooperation between the two countries. Mr Baglay highlighted the shared Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka and India stating that he had prayed to Lord Buddha through video calls earlier this week for peace and prosperity of people of both countries.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' The High Commissioner recalled that as Sri Lanka's closest maritime neighbour, India has been the first responder when Sri Lanka faced difficulties, be it natural calamities, or the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The High Commissioner noted that India has sent four consignments of essential life-saving medicines and medical material weighing over 25 tonnes to Sri Lanka in the last few weeks as goodwill support from the people of India. Re-iterating Prime Minister Modi's commitment to jointly fight COVID-19 pandemic, the High Commissioner assured President Rajapaksa of India's continued cooperation to Sri Lanka, including for economic recovery, in all manners possible.</span>