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Modi’s eventful, whirlwind visit signals bilateral relations in urgent transition
View(s):Within the less-than-48 hours that Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi spent on his first official visit to Sri Lanka, the Premier had a packed itinerary, during which he held bilateral talks, addressed Parliament, as well as visited Jaffna, Talaimannar and Anuradhapura.
Premier Modi and President Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat
Premier Modi arrived in Colombo in the early hours of Friday, on the final leg of a three-nation tour that took him to the Seychelles and Mauritius.
He was greeted on arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and later accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Secretariat.
Later, Premier Modi held talks with President Maithripala Sirisena, following which he visited the Maha Bodhi Society in Maradana.
Here, Premier Modi was received by the Chief Incumbent of the Mahabaodi Temple, Ven. Banagala Uptissa Thera. Premier Modi first offered flowers to the sacred Relics of Sariyuth and Mugalan Arahath enshrined at the temple and proceeded to offer alms to Buddhist monks.
Jaffna: Indian Prime Minister at the opening ceremony of the Ariyale housing project
The silver coil issued to mark Premier Modi’s visit to the temple, was presented to him at the temple. He spoke briefly at the Maha Bodhi Society, where he praised Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy for their pious task of spreading the Buddha’s word worldwide, adding that, if there is a place in the world that Buddhism is protected, it is in Sri Lanka.”
After garlanding the statue of Anagarika Dharmapala, the founder of the Maha Bodhi Society, Premier Modi planted a Na sapling to mark his historical visit to the temple. Just before departing, the PM shared a light moment with schoolchildren gathered at the temple to greet him,.
On Friday afternoon, the Indian Premier arrived at the Parliamentary Complex for a special session summoned in his honour, where he addressed the local legislators.
In Mannar: A photo opportunity in the rain
Later, a solemn Premier Modi paid tribute at the memorial for members of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), situated in Ape Gama, near the Parliament Complex in Battaramulla..As the first Indian Head of State to pay homage at the IPKF memorial, Premier Modi placed a white floral wreath and stood in silence as sounds of the Last Post filled the air.
Premier Modi later addressed the Business Forum organised by the Colombo Chamber of Commerce. On Friday he also held talks with Premier Wickremesinghe, former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Leader of the Opposition, Nimal Siripala de Silva, as well as a delegation from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
Premier Modi greets members of Parliament
Yesterday, the Indian Premier, was joined by President Sirisena on a historic visit to the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura where he was received by the Chief Prelates there. The two leaders offered obeisance at the site of the Bo tree.
At the state banquet: From left to right Maithree Wickremesinghe, Premier Modi, Presidemt Maithri Sirisena and Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe
From Anuradhapura, he proceeded to Talaimannar where he flagged off the first train to recommence the Talaimannar-Medawachchiya sector of the train service to Colombo, following the restoration work carried out with Indian credit assistance.
At his next stop in Jaffna Premier Modi laid the foundation stone for the Jaffna Cultural Centre. At a ceremony held at the Jaffna Public Library to mark the occasion, he assured that the work commenced by the Indian Government will continue unimpeded.
Pix by Ranjith Perera, Nissanka Meegoda, Amila Gamage, M.A. Pushpa Kumara, Indika Handuwala, Athula Bandara, S.R. Lambert and Priyantha Hewage