Bilateral
PM Modi receives ceremonial welcome in Sri Lanka, several major deals expected
Colombo/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reached Sri Lanka last evening, on Saturday morning received a ceremonial welcome at the Independence Square in Colombo.
Modi was received by Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Independence Square.
Five top Sri Lankan ministers including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath welcomed the Indian Prime Minister at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Friday evening.
The Prime Minister wrote on X, "Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programmes in Sri Lanka."
Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programmes in Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/RYm5q1VhZk
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
Modi is scheduled to hold a discussion with Dissanayake kickstaring a new era of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The two nations are expected to seal 10 important deals in various sectors including defence, energy security and digitisation.
If an agreement on defence cooperation is signed, it will usher in a new chapter in India-Sri Lanka's relation leaving behind the bitter past when New Delhi pulled out of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from Colombo more than three decades ago.
The rains were no deterrent for a spectacular welcome by the Indian community in Colombo. I was deeply moved by their warmth and enthusiasm. Grateful to them! pic.twitter.com/O8YUP6Vjxw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
Apart from dedicating several projects in Sri Lanka with India's assistance, Modi and Dissanayake will pay their respects at the Mahabodhi temple in Anuradhapura.
Modi is the first foreign leader whom Dissanayake is hosting as the country's President.
Modi reached Sri Lanka after concluding a two-day tour to Thailand where he attended the BIMSTEC Summit.
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