Sri Lankan ministers, Indian migrants gave a great welcome to the premier modes in Colombo amid heavy rain

Colombo, April 4 (IANS). Hundreds of locals and members of the Indian migrant community welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi late Saturday night despite heavy rain. Premier Modi arrived here on a state visit by Bangkok at the invitation of Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Disanayake. Foreign Minister Sri Lanka Vijita Herath, Minister of Health, Nalinda Jayatisa, Labor Minister Anil Jayanta, the Minister of Fisheries, Ramalingam Chandrashekhar, the Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs Minister, Saroja Savitri Paulraj and the Minister of Science and Technology, Crisisan Abesena, including top ministers of the cabinet. During this time, people kept waiting for a look at the Premier Modi outside the airport amid heavy rain in the Sri Lanka capital. Prime Minister Modi arrived directly on a trip to the islandland after attending the ‘Bay Bay of Bengal Bay Multiple Technical and Economic Cooperation Initiative’ (Bimstec) summit in Bangkok. He will return home on April 6. After reaching Colombo, Prime Minister Modi wrote on X: “I reached Colombo. I am grateful for ministers and dignitaries who welcome me at the airport. I wait for the programs to be held in Sri Lanka.” Colombo said Disinayake’s state visit to India as president of Sri Lanka was an “important moment” in bilateral relations in December last year. Strong diplomatic relations between the two neighbors are expected to be further increased. Premier Modi will be the first foreign leader to come to his hospitality after taking over as president of Sri Lanka. During the visit of the Premier Modi, an agreement on Defense cooperation between India and Sri Lanka is also expected. During the visit, the prime minister will discuss with the president of Sri Lanka and review the progress made in the field of cooperation in the joint perspective of the president of Sri Lanka who was adopted during the state visit of India. The prime minister is also holding a meeting with senior dignitaries and political leaders. There will also be an exchange of various agreements related to energy contact, digitization, defense, health and multi-regional awards tools between the two leaders. Prime Minister Modi will also meet other political leaders of the country before visiting Anuradhapura with Disanayake on Sunday for the inauguration of Indian financial aid development projects. In Anuradhapura, the two leaders Shraddha Suman will present in the historic Jaya Shri Mahabodhi temple complex. Prime Minister Modi also visited the temple during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015, which has a special meaning in the Indian Sri Lanka-civil partnership. Prime Minister Modi then visited Sri Lanka again in 2019. During their discussions, the two leaders will also discuss all the issues associated with fishermen, including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and fishing boats. The Government of India says it has given a ‘highest priority’ to the safety, safety and well -being of Indian fishermen and that these issues are constantly raising through bilateral mechanisms, diplomatic channels and various official interactions, including the prime minister’s recent meeting with the president of Sri Lanka on December 16, 2024. Under no circumstances may not use violence. -Ians Aks/AK