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PM Modi’s Sri Lanka visit
Following the conclusion of his engagements at the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 4, 2025. He was warmly received by a delegation of six Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka, led by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. At his hotel, the Indian community gathered to extend a heartfelt welcome to the Prime Minister.
To mark the occasion, several collaborative works showcasing shared cultural heritage were on display. These included Sri Lankan audio books featuring tales from the Panchatantra, Jataka, Hitopadesha, and the Pali version of Gita Govinda, reflecting the deep-rooted cultural and literary ties between the two nations.
The Prime Minister later announced India’s support for several landmark religious and cultural initiatives, including the Sacred City project in Anuradhapura, the development of the Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee (often referred to as the “Kailash of the South”), and the enhancement of the Sita Eliya temple complex in Nuwara Eliya. Additionally, sacred relics of Lord Buddha discovered in Gujarat will be sent to Sri Lanka for public exposition during the international Vesak Day celebrations in May 2025.
On 6th April the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Disanayaka together visited Anuradhapura to seek blessings at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple there and also inaugurate two railway projects that have been undertaken there with Indian assistance.
Bilateral Talks and Strategic Cooperation
On April 5, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by President Disanayaka at Colombo’s iconic Independence Square. This was followed by official meetings, including a restricted discussion and delegation-level talks at the Presidential Secretariat.
The leaders reviewed the progress made under the Joint Vision for a Shared Future, adopted during President Disanayaka’s visit to India. They assessed developments across key areas such as connectivity, infrastructure, economic cooperation, defence, people-to-people relations, reconciliation efforts, and issues related to fishermen.
We value the priorities of
our partner countries: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in a joint statement with Sri Lankan President Mr. Disanayaka, highlighted the deep-rooted and evolving partnership between India and Sri Lanka. He noted the symbolic significance of the visit, stating, “President Disanayaka chose India for his first foreign visit after becoming President, and I have had the privilege of becoming his first foreign guest. This is a symbol of the depth of our special relations.”
Shri Narendra Modi underscored Sri Lanka’s central role in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, pointing to significant strides made in bilateral cooperation since President Disanayaka’s visit to India four months ago. “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 Inter-Connectivity Agreement between the two countries will create opportunities for Sri Lanka to export electricity.”
PM said, “I am pleased that today a 5,000 Solar Rooftop System will be inaugurated for religious places in Sri Lanka. India will also provide support for the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity project.” PM added, India has adopted the vision of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. We also value the priorities of our partner countries. He added, In the last 6 months alone, we have 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 of Sri Lanka. PM said, for the social and economic development of the Eastern Provinces, a support package of approximately 2.4 billion Lankan Rupees will be provided. Today, we also inaugurated Sri Lanka’s largest warehouse for the welfare of farmers.
Shri Modi said, “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.” PM Shri Modi expressed appreciation for President Disanayaka’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, especially in the areas of Defence Cooperation and regional security. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration under the Colombo Security Conclave and enhancing security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
Energy and Infrastructure Milestones
The visit marked significant breakthroughs in the domain of energy cooperation:
–The signing of an MOU on India–Sri Lanka electricity grid interconnection, setting the stage for physical integration of power systems.
–A trilateral MOU between India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, aimed at ensuring Sri Lanka’s energy security and enabling potential export earnings.
–Virtual inauguration of the Sampur Solar Power Project.
–Launch of a solar rooftop project providing systems to 5,000 religious institutions, expected to generate up to 25 MW of solar power.
–Inauguration of a temperature-controlled warehouse facility in Dambulla — the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.
–Infrastructure cooperation continued with the joint inauguration of two railway projects in Anuradhapura, developed with Indian assistance.
PM Modi receives the highest Honour of Sri Lankan
During the recent visit to Sri Lanka, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anura Kumara Disanayaka conferred upon Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi the “Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana”, the highest civilian honour Sri Lanka bestows on Heads of State and Government of friendly nations at Colombo in Sri Lanka on 05 April 2025.
PM Shri Modi is the first Indian and only the second foreign leader to receive this award. He accepted it on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India, acknowledging the deep trust and friendship between the two nations.