PM Modi Conferred with Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour. Expressing his gratitude, PM Modi said that this award is not just his but belongs to all 1.4 billion Indians. PM Modi is currently on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka. On the first day of his visit, India and Sri Lanka signed several agreements covering areas such as defense and infrastructure.
PM Modi Conferred with Sri Lanka
“Sri Lanka is Not Just a Neighbor, But a Close Friend”
On this occasion, PM Modi stated, “India’s vision has always been ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (Together with All, Development for All). We prioritize our partner countries. Sri Lanka is not just our neighboring country but also a close friend. We have stood firmly with Sri Lanka during its difficult times. Being awarded the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan’ by President Dissanayake is a matter of great pride for me. This is not just a personal honour, but an honour for 1.4 billion Indians. It reflects the historic ties and deep friendship between India and Sri Lanka. It is a matter of pride for India that we have fulfilled our responsibilities as a true neighboring friend.”
PM Modi Conferred with Sri Lanka
Highlighting the strong bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka, PM Modi said, “Whether it was the 2019 terrorist attack, the COVID-19 pandemic, or the recent economic crisis, in every challenging situation, India has stood by the people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka holds a special place in both our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and our Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’. India is committed to the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (Collective Effort, Inclusive Growth).”
PM Modi Conferred with Sri Lanka
India’s Continued Support to Sri Lanka
PM Modi further emphasized India’s commitment to its partner nations. “We value the priorities of our partner countries. In the past six months alone, we have converted over $100 million in loans into grants for Sri Lanka. The spiritual and emotional ties between India and Sri Lanka go back centuries. I am pleased to share that artefact related to Lord Buddha, discovered in 1960 in Aravalli, Gujarat, are being sent to Sri Lanka for public viewing.”
PM Modi Conferred with Sri Lanka
He also announced India’s support in the renovation of the Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee. “We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agreed that this issue must be approached with a humanitarian perspective. We emphasized the immediate release of fishermen and the return of their boats. The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is based on mutual trust and goodwill,” PM Modi concluded.
