Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, highlighted the deep ties between Sri Lanka and India, emphasizing that Sri Lanka is not just a neighbouring country but a traditional and trusted friend of India. He affirmed that India has supported Sri Lanka during challenging times and will continue to do so.
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi noted that India provided extensive assistance to Sri Lanka during the 2019 terrorist attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent economic crisis. He stressed that Sri Lanka occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and ‘Vision Ocean’. He revealed that in the last six months, India has converted a $100 million loan to Sri Lanka into a grant, which will provide immediate relief to the Sri Lankan people through a bilateral agreement.
LIVE: PM Shri @narendramodi and President Dissanayake at the joint press meet in Colombo, Sri Lanka. https://t.co/Ewq5fteux6
— BJP (@BJP4India) April 5, 2025
Assistance for development of Sri Lanka’s eastern provinces
PM Modi also announced that India will provide assistance of approximately 240 crore Sri Lankan rupees for the development of Sri Lanka’s eastern provinces. Additionally, a decision has been made to reduce interest rates, further underscoring India’s commitment to standing with Sri Lanka during this time. He reaffirmed that India’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ extends beyond its borders and values the priorities of partner nations as well.
Respect for 1.4 billion Indians
Prime Minister Modi expressed that receiving the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan’ honour is not just a recognition of his leadership but also an honour for the 1.4 billion citizens of India. He extended his gratitude to the President of Sri Lanka, the government, and the people for this distinction, assuring them that India will continue to support Sri Lanka in its times of need and that the relationship between the two nations will only grow stronger.
President Dissanayake praises PM Modi
In this ceremony, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake praised Prime Minister Modi, stating that this honour is dedicated not just to an individual leader but to the deep historical, cultural, and religious connections between India and Sri Lanka. He affirmed that PM Modi is truly deserving of this recognition. The friendship between the two countries, he noted, is grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and common interests.
