The Indian prime minister had a productive meeting today with the president of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. Ahead of the talks, the prime minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Independence Square. The Indian prime minister is the first foreign leader to pay a State visit to Sri Lanka since President Disanayaka took office in September 2024.
The two leaders held detailed discussions in restricted and delegation-level formats on further deepening the special and close bilateral ties that are rooted in shared history and driven by strong people-to-people linkages. They reviewed cooperation in the fields of connectivity, development cooperation, economic ties, defense relations, reconciliation, and fishermen issues. The prime minister reiterated Sri Lanka’s importance in India’s Neighborhood First Policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. He conveyed India’s continued commitment to assist in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and stabilization.
Following the talks, the two leaders virtually inaugurated several projects. These include 5000 solar rooftop units installed at religious places across Sri Lanka and a temperature-controlled warehousing facility at Dambulla. They also virtually participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the launch of the 120 MW Sampur Solar power project.
The two leaders witnessed the exchange of seven MoUs in the fields of energy, digitization, defence, health and multi-sectoral assistance in the Eastern Province. The Prime Minister announced support for the development of the Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee, the Sacred City project in Anuradhapura and the Sita Eliya temple complex in Nuwara Eliya.
In the areas of capacity building and economic support, a comprehensive package for training an additional 700 Sri Lankan citizens annually and the conclusion of Bilateral Amendatory Agreements on Debt Restructuring were also announced. In keeping with the shared Buddhist heritage of the two countries, the prime minister announced that Holy Relics of Lord Buddha from Gujarat would be traveling to Sri Lanka for the International Vesak Day celebrations.
Source: https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/39380
