THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Colombo, April 5: The Sri Lankan government has honored Prime Minister Modi with the prestigious Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana Medal.
During a joint press conference with Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake in Colombo today, PM Modi said, “Today, President Anura Kumara Disanayake honoured me with Sri Lanka’s prestigious ‘Mithra Vibhushana Medal.’ This is not just an honour for me, but for 1.4 billion Indians. It reflects the historic ties and deep friendship between India and Sri Lanka. I sincerely thank the President of Sri Lanka, the govt, and the people for this gesture.”
Modi emphasized that India has fulfilled the duty of a true neighboring friend. Referring to the 2019 terrorist attack, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, he said that India has always stood by the people of Sri Lanka in every difficult situation.
Notably, this is the 22nd international award conferred on Prime Minister Modi by a foreign nation.
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India and Sri Lanka ink seven MoUs including landmark defence pact
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake concluded high-level talks in Colombo by signing a series of agreements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation.
For the first time, India and Sri Lanka finalized a landmark defence cooperation pact, marking a significant step in their strategic partnership.
Among other key outcomes, the two leaders also oversaw the signing of an agreement to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, alongside another pact facilitating India’s multi-sectoral grant assistance for Sri Lanka’s eastern region.
Modi and Dissanayake jointly inaugurated the Sampur solar power project through a virtual ceremony.
A total of seven Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two sides, covering areas such as defence, energy, digital infrastructure, healthcare, and trade.
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One of the major initiatives includes a joint venture between India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board to establish a 120-megawatt solar power plant in Trincomalee to meet Sri Lanka’s growing energy demands.
Before the talks, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a historic ceremonial welcome at Independence Square — a rare honour reflecting the importance Colombo attaches to the visit.
