PM Modi left for home after an "immensely fruitful" day-long visit to Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday left for New Delhi after concluding his first foreign visit following his re-election during which he travelled to Sri Lanka and Maldives and held talks with the top leadership of the two countries. PM Modi left for home after an "immensely fruitful" day-long visit to Sri Lanka where he held talks with top Lankan officials and discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral ties with the island nation, reflecting the importance India attaches to its Neighbourhood First policy. During his Lanka visit, Prime Minister Modi visited a Catholic church bombed during the Easter suicide attacks and paid tributes to the victims of the Easter terror blasts. He held talks with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa. He also interacted with the the Indian diaspora at India House in Colombo and thanked the community for coming to meet in the Lankan capital.
Here are the Highlights on PM Modi's visit to Sri Lanka:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community at India House in Colombo. Here are the highlights from his speech:- I thank the Indian community for coming to meet us here. It is always a delight to interact with the Indian diaspora
- Today India's position in the world is getting stronger and a large part of that credit goes to the Indian diaspora
- Wherever I go, am told about the successes and accomplishments of the Indian diaspora
- I am happy to share that the Indian community overseas and the Government of India are on the same page when it comes to several issues
- Democracy is a part of India's ethos
- We have achieved a lot in the last five years and much more has to be done in the coming years. No stone will be left unturned to fulfil people's aspirations
Tamil National Alliance delegation led by R. Sampanthan call on PM Modi. Congratulated PM on his electoral victory.
Sri Lanka's leader of opposition and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on PM Modi. They discussed steps to further strengthen wide ranging bilateral relations between the two countries.
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena presented PM Modi the Samadhi Buddha Statue.
This is considered to be one of the best sculptures in the Anuradhapura era. The original statue was sculptured between the 4th and 7th centuries AD.
This replica of the Samadhi Buddha Statue has been hand carved using white teak. This masterpiece has taken almost two years to complete. The meditation pose is known as Dhyana Mudra.
PM Modi with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. They discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. A banquet was hosted in honour of PM Modi by Sri Lankan President Sirisena.
Ministry of External Affairs on its twitter handle shared some glimpses of the PM Modi's ceremonial welcome:
I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again, tweets PM Modi - He said, "Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka."
- He further said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the St Anthony's Church in Colombo as a mark of respect to those killed in the Easter terrorist attacks.
PM Modi arrives in Sri Lanka
PM Modi Will Be First World leader To Visit Sri Lanka After Easter Blasts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a brief stopover in Sri Lanka on his way back to India from Maldives where he was on his first overseas visit after getting elected as prime minister for the second time. This will be PM Modi's first visit to the island nation after the serial bombings on Easter left over 250 dead."
PM Modi's programme in Sri Lanka today
1100 hrs - Arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo
1205 hrs - Official Welcome Ceremony at President's Secretariat
1225 hrs - Tree Planting at President's House and Meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka
1240 hrs - Working Lunch with the President of Sri Lanka
1335 hrs - Call on PM by Leader of Opposition and by TNA Delegation
1405 hrs - Walk-through interaction with Community
1500 hrs - Emplane
PM Modi will hold talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and will also meet Sri Lankan Leader of Opposition and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of the Tamil National Alliance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make a brief stopover in Sri Lanka on his way back to India from the Maldives where he is on his first overseas visit after assuming office for a second term. PM Modi will be received by his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe at the airport, news agency ANI reported.
For all the updates on PM Modi's visit to Maldives yesterday, click
here