Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe jointly inaugurated the newly upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line in Anuradhapura, marking a significant milestone in the India-Sri Lanka partnership. The project, backed by India, is part of a broader effort to enhance Sri Lanka’s transportation infrastructure.
In addition to the upgraded railway line, the leaders launched a new signaling and telecommunications system for the Maho-Anuradhapura section, developed through a $14.9 million Indian grant. The upgrade is expected to improve the efficiency and safety of Sri Lanka’s railway network.
During the visit, the two leaders also visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple, underscoring the strong spiritual and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.
In their bilateral discussions, Modi and Wickremesinghe announced key initiatives in various sectors, including energy, housing, digital infrastructure, and cultural exchange. The Prime Minister’s visit underscored India’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s stability and development, particularly following the country’s 2022 economic crisis, where India extended $4.5 billion in assistance.
In a gesture of goodwill, President Wickremesinghe honored Prime Minister Modi with the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan, one of the highest civilian awards in the country. This rare recognition highlighted India’s significant role in supporting Sri Lanka during a time of economic difficulty.
The visit also saw the virtual groundbreaking of the Sampur Power Project, a joint initiative between India’s NTPC and the Ceylon Electricity Board aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s energy infrastructure. India also reaffirmed its commitment to Sri Lanka by converting $100 million in loans into grants and providing a 2.4 billion Sri Lankan rupee package for the Eastern Province.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s support for Sri Lanka’s Unique Digital Identity project and assured continued backing for the Tamil community’s rights in Sri Lanka. In this context, he met with Tamil leaders and paid tribute to the late R. Sampanthan and Mavai Senathirajah, further advancing India’s advocacy for Tamil rights.
Furthermore, Modi emphasized India’s support for the Indian Housing Project, which will soon complete the construction of 10,000 homes in Sri Lanka’s upcountry areas.
The visit highlighted India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, demonstrating New Delhi’s commitment to regional cooperation and integration, particularly through the MAHASAGAR framework for maritime collaboration. It underscored Sri Lanka’s importance as a strategic partner in India’s vision for the Indian Ocean region.
Concluding his three-day state visit, Prime Minister Modi reinforced the enduring and robust relationship between India and Sri Lanka, marking a new chapter in bilateral ties.
