News
Highest Sri Lakan honour for Modi amidst new MoUs and project launches
View(s):By Chandani Kirinde
The Sri Lanka Government laid out the red carpet for visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday with a ceremonial welcome at the Independence Square in Colombo, a 19-gun salute and the conferring of the country’s highest national honour for non-nationals – the Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in the country on Friday night after winding up a two-day visit to Thailand, where he participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. He was welcomed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and three other cabinet ministers, following which Mr. Modi left for Colombo.
At the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo, Mr. Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian community in Colombo, with many of whom he posed for photographs and shook hands while the crowds cheered him on.
President Dissanayake and Premier Modi at the ceremonial welcome for Mr. Modi at Independence Square in Colombo. Pix by Indika Handuwala
The ceremonial welcome for Mr. Modi was held at Independence Square in Colombo, a change of venue from Galle Face Green, lawns of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo or the President’s House, all places where past visiting dignitaries were accorded a formal welcome. 
It was a short and elegant ceremony, with the previous evening’s showers adding to the lush atmosphere around the historic Sri Lankan monument. The Indian Prime Minister was welcomed on his arrival by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The ceremony began with the national anthems of both countries being played, followed by the inspection of the Guard of Honour by members of the Sri Lankan armed forces and the introduction of dignitaries. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several cabinet ministers were among those present, while India’s Minister of External Affairs S. S.Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajith Doval were among the Indian dignitaries present.
The other highlight of the day was the exchange of agreements and the virtual inauguration of projects held at the Presidential Secretariat, followed by the two leaders making press statements. Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed by the two sides, including a defence cooperation agreement, while they also virtually participated in three projects, namely the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sampur Solar power project, the inauguration of the Temperature-Controlled Agricultural Warehouse in Dambulla and the supply of solar rooftop systems to 5000 religious institutions across Sri Lanka.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi announced a comprehensive capacity-building programme in India covering 700 Sri Lankans annually; India’s grant assistance for the development of the Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee, Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya, and the Sacred City Complex project in Anuradhapura. He also announced that the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from Gujarat would be brought to Sri Lanka for the International Vesak Day celebrations – 2025.
Following this, President Dissanayake conferred on Indian Prime Minister the title of ‘Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana’. This honour is conferred on Heads of States and Heads of Governments with whom Sri Lanka has friendly relations in appreciation of their friendship towards and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. Mr. Modi is the second recipient of the honour, the first being former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who received it in 2008.
Mr. Modi dedicated the honour to the special friendship between India and Sri Lanka and the age-old links between the people of the two countries.
The Indian Prime Minister also met with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as well as a delegation of Tamil politicians representing several political parties. At the meeting, the Indian Prime Minister paid his condolences on the passing away of senior Tamil politicians R. R.Sampanthan and Mavai Senathirajah, both of whom were personally known to Mr. Modi.
The Indian Prime Minister paid his respects at the memorial for the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) who laid down their lives in Sri Lanka. It commemorates 1155 Indian soldiers who died in the North and East during their deployment there from 1987 to 1990.
The Indian leader will travel to Anuradhapura today, where he will pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi as well as inaugurate the upgraded railway track of the Maho-Omanthai railway line and launch the construction of a signalling system for the Maho-Anuradhapura railway line.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several cabinet ministers were among those present
India’s Minister of External Affairs S. S.Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajith Doval were among the Indian dignitaries
Inspection of the Guard of Honour
| As neighbours and friends, let us build a future with shared development: President AKDPresident Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday that the visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflects the deep-rooted friendship that exists between the two countries. “Like India, Sri Lanka firmly believes in the potential of South Asia to rise and shine on the world stage, a goal that we must strive to achieve together. Sri Lanka and India share far more than geographical proximity. We are neighbours bound by deep historical, religious, and cultural ties that span over 2,500 years,” he said addressing the press at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. He said Sri Lanka’s foreign policy is firmly guided by national interests, with a focus on promoting peace and respecting the sovereignty of all nations, principles that form the foundation of our diplomatic roadmap.  Premier Modi and President Dissanayake in front of the Presidential Secretariat He said that during the bilateral discussions; the two sides carried out a broad review of the current state of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen relations in areas of mutual interest. The president also praised PM Modi’s leadership and transformative initiatives, which he said have elevated India to the global stage. “I am deeply grateful to Prime Minister Modi for his unwavering commitment and support to our country’s economic recovery process and sustainable development, in alignment with India’s foreign policy framework of ‘Neighborhood First’.” The president also reaffirmed the country’s commitment that Lankan territory will not be used for any purpose that could undermine India’s security or regional stability.  Heightened security in the city. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara He said he requested PM Modi’s intervention to urgently initiate bilateral technical discussions regarding Sri Lanka’s claim to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, with the aim of establishing the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond the mutually exclusive economic zone. The Government of Sri Lanka decided to confer the highest Sri Lankan honour of Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana on the Indian PM as a symbol of the enduring friendship and unwavering, multifaceted support that he has consistently extended to Sri Lanka and its people, Mr Dissanayake said. “We firmly believe that Prime Minister Modi, who has always stood by Sri Lanka, is most deserving of this distinction,” he said. “In Sri Lanka, we too are on a transformative path, which we call the ‘A Thriving Nation and a Beautiful Life’ National Policy. This policy is designed to pave the way for economic progress, social justice, and to provide every citizen with the opportunity to prosper, regardless of their background. As neighbours, partners, and long-standing friends, let us resolve, at this moment, to build a future filled with shared development,” he added.
| |
|
 The Indian Premier arriving at the BIA India stands with Sri Lanka, says premier Narendra ModiIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said that Sri Lanka has a special place in both India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’ and vowed to continue to work together to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the people of the two nations. Addressing the press meet at the Presidential Secretariat, the Indian Prime Minister said it is his firm belief Sri Lanka will rise, and rise stronger. “I applaud the courage and patience of the Sri Lankan people, and today, I am happy to see Sri Lanka back on the path of progress. India is proud to have fulfilled its duties as a true friendly neighbour. Whether it was the terrorist attack of 2019, the COVID pandemic, or the recent economic crisis, we have stood firmly with the people of Sri Lanka during every difficulty,” Mr. Modi said. He said that President Dissanayake chose India for his first foreign visit after becoming President and he has had the privilege of becoming his first foreign guest. “This is a symbol of the depth of our special relations,” he said. Mr. Modi said that since the Sri Lankan President’s visit to India, significant progress has been made in cooperation between the two countries.  Seven MoUs were signed between the two countries “The Sampur Solar Power Plant will help Sri Lanka achieve energy security. The agreement reached to build a multi-product pipeline, and to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub will benefit all Sri Lankans. The Grid Interconnectivity Agreement between the two countries will create opportunities for Sri Lanka to export electricity,” he said. He disclosed that in the last six months alone, India has converted loans worth more than USD 100 million into grants. “Our bilateral ‘Debt Restructuring Agreement’ will provide immediate assistance and relief to the people of Sri Lanka. Today we have also decided to reduce interest rates. It symbolises that even today, India stands with the people Mr. Modi said that for the social and economic development of the Eastern Provinces, a support package of approximately Rs. 2.4 billion will be provided while work for the modernisation of the Kankesanthurai Port will begin soon.
He said that for the Indian Origin Tamil Community in Sri Lanka, the construction work of 10,000 houses will be completed soon. ‘Training will be provided to an additional 700 Sri Lankan personnel. They will include Members of Parliament, personnel associated with the judiciary, entrepreneurs, media persons, as well as young leaders.’ He also spoke on the shared security interests saying the security of both countries is interconnected and co-dependent. ‘I am grateful to President Dissanayake for his sensitivity towards India’s interests. We welcome the important agreements made in the area of Defence Cooperation. We have also agreed to work together on the Colombo Security Conclave and Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean,” he said. Mr. Modi said the two sides had discussed reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. “We hope that the Sri Lankan Government will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people and fulfil its commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and conducting Provincial Council Elections,” he added.  One tripartite with the UAE |
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!