PM Modi’s State Visit To Sri Lanka Begins With Warm Reception In Colombo Amid Heavy Rain

PM Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo on Saturday evening to a warm and enthusiastic welcome from both the Indian diaspora and local residents.

Despite heavy rain, hundreds of people gathered outside Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport and at his hotel to greet the Prime Minister.

The welcome was a part of his State Visit to Sri Lanka, which he undertook at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Ministers from Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Extend Special Welcome

A number of senior Sri Lankan ministers were present to welcome PM Modi. These included Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Labour Minister Anil Jayantha, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena.

Their presence underscored the importance of the visit, as people gathered to show their support in the rain-soaked capital.

PM Modi’s Arrival and Message on Social Media

Prime Minister Modi had just concluded attending the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok before heading to Sri Lanka.

Upon his arrival in Colombo, he expressed his gratitude on social media, saying, “Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programmes in Sri Lanka.”

Strengthening Bilateral Relations Between India and Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka views this State Visit as a pivotal moment in the strengthening of its relationship with India.

President Dissanayake’s visit to India in December 2024 was described as a ‘watershed moment’, laying the foundation for closer ties.

PM Modi’s visit marks the first time President Dissanayake has hosted a foreign leader since taking office, further cementing the growing diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka, stating that shared history, religion, and culture ground the relationship.

He also emphasized that India played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s recovery during its 2022 economic crisis, reinforcing India’s role as a dependable neighbor.

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