PM Modi’s visit reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’: Dissanayake’s office

The leaders jointly inaugurated the upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line and signalling system, funded by India, to improve connectivity and infrastructure in Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka reinforces the island nation’s important role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s office in Colombo stated on Sunday (April 6, 2025).

Mr. Modi concluded a “very productive” visit to Sri Lanka on Sunday (April 6, 2025), during which he held extensive talks with President Dissanayake and witnessed the signing of several agreements aimed at boosting cooperation in sectors such as defence, energy and digitalisation.

His visit to Sri Lanka, undertaken at the invitation of President Dissanayake, was his fourth trip to the island since 2015. The Sri Lankan leader had made New Delhi his first official visit after winning the presidential election in September last year.

Prime Minister Modi’s “visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme ‘Friendship of centuries, commitment to a prosperous future’, further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka,” President Dissanayake’s office said in a statement.

Also read: PM Modi in Sri Lanka highlights

This visit has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership, it added.

The visit by Prime Minister Modi “reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations,” the statement added.

His visit is expected to yield significant results through collaborative initiatives “fostering a path towards mutual growth and development,” it added.

Before leaving for India on Sunday (April 6, 2025), Prime Minister Modi visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in the historic city of Anuradhapura and paid respects at the revered Buddhist shrine.

The sacred Bodhi tree at the temple is believed to have grown from a Bo sapling brought to Sri Lanka by Sangamitta Maha Theri, daughter of Emperor Ashoka, from India in the 3rd Century BCE.

Mr. Modi also met with Most Ven Pallegama Hemarathana Nayake Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Great Eight Buddhist Shrines (Atamasthanadhipathi) of Anuradhapura, for a cordial discussion.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home State of Gujarat in the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with President Dissanayake the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.

Responding to a request to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take necessary steps after discussions with President Dissanayake and work towards making it a reality.

The chief monk presented a memorandum signed by the chief Buddhist prelates requesting Buddhist administrative control over Bodh Gaya temple. “PM Modi assured that he would take necessary steps”, the release stated.

Mr. Dissanayake and Mr. Modi also jointly inaugurated the upgraded northern railway line between Maho in the North Central Province to Omanthai in Northern Province, along with an upgraded railway signalling system at Anuradhapura railway station.

The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding from an Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of $91.27 million. The Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system was funded by the Indian government amounting to $14.89 million.

Published - April 06, 2025 11:03 pm IST