Morning of March 13th, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi reached Sri Lanka. It was the final destination of Shri Modi’s three nation tour. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, received Shri Narendra Modi at the airport in Colombo early morning at around half past five.

A ceremonial reception was organised for the Indian Prime Minister. President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Maithripala Sirisena welcomed Shri Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Modi expressed his delight to meet President Sirisena yet again.

Sri Lanka visit attached great importance for both the nations as this was the first stand alone bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister since 1987. Shri Modi had earlier tweeted about the two-day visit with immense joy.

In the day, on March 13th, the Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka addressed the Joint Statement to the media. Shri Narendra Modi noted the impressive growth of trade in the past few years and hoped to strengthen India-Sri Lanka trade ties further. Shri Modi expressed India’s strong desire to cooperate and develop a Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka and a Buddhist Circuit in India.

PM, Shri Narendra Modi also held a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. Discussions were held relating to a wide-range of issues and fortifying the cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

Shri Narendra Modi also paid a visit to Mahabodhi Society. He interacted with the Buddhist monks in Colombo. Seeking blessings from them, PM Modi said that Buddha has always shown the path away from wars. He thanked the Mahabodhi society for letting him visit such a place. Taking note of the contribution of Buddhism in the cultural upliftment of India and Sri Lanka, Shri Narendra Modi considered it to be a uniting force between both the nations.

Early evening, on the very same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Parliament of Sri Lanka. Considering the Sri Lankan Parliament to be one of the most vibrant in Asia, he conveyed greetings on behalf of the 1.25 billion people of India. Shri Modi expressed his delight to have got the chance to visit Sri Lanka so early in his term. Believing Sri Lanka to be an inspiration for human development, Shri Modi assumed it to be home for enterprise, skill and extraordinary intellectual heritage. He expressed that how without having any land boundary the two nations have been the closest neighbours. The Prime Minister stated his vision of an ideal neighbourhood where trade, investments, technology, ideas and people flow easily across borders. Shri Narendra Modi assured India’s full commitment and support in development partnership with Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Modi also paid tributes to the martyrs of Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). He remembered their sacrifices and saluted their spirit.

While addressing a business community at Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Prime Minister highlighted the relevance of infrastructure, energy, traditional handicrafts, modern manufacturing and tourism. Shri Narendra Modi regarded that India attached highest importance to Sri Lanka’s economic progress. He was pleased to see the progress on Sampur Thermal Power Project and the Trincomalee Oil Farm. He also shared his contentment on Government of India’s decision about extending the benefit of visa on arrival facility to Sri Lanka starting April 14th.

Shri Modi also met the opposition leader of Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, leaders of the Tamil National Alliance and the Former President of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga.

March 14th, the second day of visit, began with his journey to Anuradhapura. Shri Modi visited Sri Mahabodhi Tree where he and President Sirisena offered prayers. He even posted a picture on Instagram.

Offered prayers at the Naguleswaram Temple in Jaffna. Feeling blessed. #Jaffna #SriLanka

A photo posted by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) on Mar 14, 2015 at 4:15am PDT

After Anuradhapura, the next stop over for Shri Modi was Jaffna. Upon reaching there, PM Modi said that the world was now able to experience a sense of peace from Jaffna too. Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Jaffna Cultural Centre.

The Prime Minister also went to Naguleswaram Temple in Jaffna where he offered prayers in the temple and spent a few minutes.
President Sirisena and I at the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Anuradhapura. #SriLanka

A photo posted by Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) on Mar 13, 2015 at 10:42pm PDT

Jaffna and the Indian State of Gujarat have had a common link for quite some time. It was after the Tsunami in Indian Ocean that a team from Jaffna travelled all the way to Gujarat for studying about reconstruction. After 2001 earthquake that hit Gujarat and posed serious threat to life and property, the Gujarat Government came up with a unique Owner-driven Reconstruction Project. Happy to see the project implemented successfully in Jaffna too, Shri Modi handed over homes at Ilavalai North-West Housing Project site. Around 27,000 more homes would be constructed that the Prime Minister hoped would wipe away tears from the eyes of those who suffered in the past.

Shri Narendra Modi also met with Northern Province CM CV Wigneswaran.

Prime Minister Modi also flagged of a train service from Talaimannar to Madhu Road. Shri Narendra Modi considered it to be an honour to have been able to dedicate such a developmental project in Sri Lanka.

The Indian High Commissioner in Colombo organised a reception in respect of Prime Minister of India. Shri Narendra Modi interacted with the guests there at the event.

As he left the land of Southern neighbour, the Prime Minister was optimistic that in the coming future India-Sri Lanka ties would be stronger. The Prime Minister hoped that both the nations would work together to harness the vast potential of the Ocean Economy. He expected that both nations would rise above together beyond the recent histories and work more effectively in the times to come. A new page was added to the chapter of India-Sri Lanka relationship with this historic visit of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.