PM Modi Sri Lanka Visit Live updates: PM Modi, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake hold delegation-level talks in Colombo

Tamil minority parties, who met the Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Saturday, insisted on the implementation of India-sponsored 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka. "We told PM Modi that the political question of Tamils must be resolved by treating the Indo-Lanka Accord and the 13th Amendment in the main", MA Sumanthiran, the spokesperson for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) told reporters.

Prime Minister Modi, who reached Sri Lanka on Friday, met the Tamil representatives for 45 minutes on Saturday.

"We conveyed that implementation of the 13A had been in the breach mostly, there were joint India-Sri Lanka statements on the 13A in 2010, 2011 and 2013. We pointed out to PM Modi on the implementation of the 13A", Sumanthiran said.

After the meeting, Modi took to X and said, "The meeting with leaders of Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) was fruitful. The community constitutes a living bridge between the two countries for over 200 years."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome in Sri Lanka and was honoured with the Mitra Vibhushana, the highest award for a foreign head of state. Sri Lankan cricket legends praised his leadership and India's global influence. The award ceremony, hosted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, highlighted the strong bond between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with leaders of the Indian-Origin Tamil (IOT) community in Colombo on Saturday, underscoring their enduring role as a vital cultural and historical link between India and Sri Lanka.

During the interaction, PM Modi reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to the progress and well-being of the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka. He announced that India will support a range of development initiatives including the construction of 10,000 houses, healthcare facilities, and the development of the Seetha Eliya temple, a sacred site of religious importance. Additional community development projects will also be undertaken in collaboration with the Sri Lankan government.

Sharing details of the meeting on social media, PM Modi posted on X: "The meeting with leaders of Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) was fruitful. The community constitutes a living bridge between the two countries for over 200 years. India will support construction of 10,000 houses, healthcare facilities, the sacred site Seetha Eliya temple and other community development projects for IOTs in cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka."

India, UAE, and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, during PM Modi’s visit to Colombo. The project will involve a multi-product pipeline and utilization of an old oil tank farm. The collaboration is seen as a strategic move to counter China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka.

The issue of fishermen was discussed in considerable detail between India and Sri Lanka, with Sri Lankan authorities informing India that they have decided to release 11 fishermen "imminently," according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Addressing a special briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka on Saturday, Misri said that during his talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Modi emphasized the humanitarian aspect of the issue and suggested that some recent actions taken by Sri Lanka could be reconsidered.

On the fishermen issue, the foreign secretary said, "Yes, this was, as I said, a subject that was discussed in considerable detail between the two sides. It is something that has remained a constant feature of discussions at all levels, including the highest levels between two sides. As the Prime Minister said himself during his remarks, there was an emphasis on the need to adopt a humanitarian and constructive approach to cooperation on these issues because these are ultimately issues that impact the livelihood of fishermen on both sides of the Palk Bay."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s assurance that the island nation “will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India,” calling the gesture a reaffirmation of the deep trust between the two neighbours and a statement that appeared to assuage concerns about China's growing influence over neighbours.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday conveyed his deep appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s timely assistance and enduring solidarity during times of crisis. During delegation-level talks in Colombo, Dissanayake assured Modi that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used in any manner that could threaten India’s security interests.

Following the discussions, India and Sri Lanka signed a pact to strengthen defence cooperation, underscoring a shared commitment to regional security and strategic trust.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Mithra Vibhushana medal by the Government of Sri Lanka in recognition of his exceptional efforts to deepen India-Sri Lanka ties and promote the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of the two nations.

This is the 22nd international honour awarded to PM Modi by a foreign country.

Specially instituted to honour extraordinary global friendships, the Mithra Vibhushana medal reflects the warmth and depth of the India-Sri Lanka relationship. Its intricate design incorporates rich symbolism—each element representing a facet of this enduring bond.

The Dharma Chakra highlights the shared Buddhist heritage that continues to shape both nations' cultural and spiritual traditions. The Pun Kalasa, a ceremonial pot brimming with sheaves of rice, symbolises prosperity and renewal. The Navarathna, or nine precious gems, stands for enduring friendship, embedded within a globe encircled by lotus petals—emblems of purity and unity. The Sun and Moon further represent the timeless and infinite nature of this bilateral relationship.

The honour stands as a tribute to Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and his commitment to regional cooperation, cultural revival, and spiritual diplomacy, reaffirming India’s key role in fostering peace and progress across South Asia.

India and Sri Lanka on Saturday signed a key agreement to jointly develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, following high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo. The two leaders also virtually inaugurated the Sampur solar power project, marking a step forward in clean energy collaboration between the neighbours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on Saturday.
The two leaders shook hands and warmly greeted each other before proceeding to the delegation-level talks. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials were present in the meeting.

PM Modi is on a State visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Disanayaka. During his State visit, PM Modi will discuss progress made on the areas of cooperation agreed upon in the Joint Vision for "Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future" adopted during the Sri Lankan President's State Visit to India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi was accorded a historic ceremonial welcome at Independence Square. It is the first time that Sri Lanka has honoured a visiting leader in this manner.

PM Modi's arrival in Sri Lanka on Friday marked his first visit to the island nation since 2019 and comes amid a renewed regional focus on development partnerships and cultural exchange.

Prime Minister Modi reached Colombo after concluding his visit to Thailand, where he attended the BIMSTEC Summit and held bilateral talks with several world leaders, including Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

In Sri Lanka, PM Modi was warmly received at the airport by six senior ministers, despite rains: Sri Lanka's 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.

"Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programs in Sri Lanka," PM Modi posted on X.

After arriving at his hotel, the Prime Minister interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and witnessed a traditional puppet performance, underscoring the cultural connections between the two nations. During his visit, PM Modi will travel to Anuradhapura to inaugurate development projects funded by India.

India and Sri Lanka on Saturday signed a series of important agreements following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo. The two sides inked a pact on defence cooperation, agreed to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, and firmed up understanding on multi-sectoral grant assistance to support Sri Lanka’s development needs. The visit marks a deepening of strategic and economic ties between the two neighbours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi On Saturday received a ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival in Colombo, marking the commencement of his three-day state visit to Sri Lanka. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties, with anticipated agreements in defense, health, trade, and energy sectors. Discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake are scheduled during the visit.

Talks between PM Modi and President Dissanayake are expected to produce around ten key outcomes, including seven bilateral pacts. A major highlight could be a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation, signalling a new chapter in India-Sri Lanka military relations. Two important documents related to India’s debt restructuring and currency swap assistance are also expected to be unveiled. These steps build on India’s earlier support of $4.5 billion during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, reaffirming New Delhi’s role as a key development partner in the island nation's recovery.

PM Modi arrived in Colombo on April 5, becoming the first foreign leader hosted by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake since he assumed office. The visit follows Modi’s participation in the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, reinforcing India’s 'Neighbourhood First' policy. The trip is expected to strengthen bilateral ties in defence, energy, and digitalisation, with nearly ten concrete outcomes anticipated. Modi last visited Sri Lanka in 2019. His presence is seen as a significant gesture as Sri Lanka continues its path to economic recovery after years of financial turmoil.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Colombo for his two-day visit to Sri Lanka. Indian community members, waving flags, greeted PM Modi with excitement as he shook hands and interacted with them at the hotel. Upon arrival, he also witnessed a traditional puppet show.

During his visit, PM Modi will meet Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss the progress of their shared vision for future partnerships. Following his trip to Thailand, where he attended the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi arrived in Sri Lanka, where he was warmly received at the airport by six top ministers, despite the rain.

PM Modi will also visit Anuradhapura to inaugurate development projects funded by India. This marks his first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019. The Prime Minister's efforts to promote Yoga were also praised during his visit.

During his visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with a diverse group of local community members, including cultural leaders, musicians, and academics, who expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to meet him. The Sri Lanka RSS leader called it a "great honour" and referred to PM Modi as "our Guru Ji." Other community members, such as Gurpreet Singh Bajaj, shared their appreciation for his kindness, while a Sri Lankan musician recalled PM Modi encouraging him to continue practising music.

Upon arrival in Colombo, PM Modi was welcomed with a traditional puppetry performance, Rukada Natya, which portrayed an episode from the Ramayana. This was the first time the Ramayana was showcased through Sri Lankan puppetry. The performance, led by Nalin Gamwari, highlighted the cultural ties between Sri Lanka and India. PM Modi's visit follows his trip to Thailand, where he participated in the BIMSTEC Summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday proposed a 21-point action plan that includes linking India's UPI with the payment systems of BIMSTEC nations and setting up a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce to strengthen engagement among the grouping's members. Prime Minister Modi was addressing the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral and Technical Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit, hosted by hosted by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, here.

Modi said the grouping is an important forum to further global good and asserted that it was imperative for the BIMSTEC nations to strengthen and deepen their engagement.

"In this context, I proposed a 21-point Action Plan covering different aspects of our cooperation," Modi said and proposed a range of initiatives from offering scholarships to students and researchers to giving a boost to business by announcing the BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce and annual business summits among member nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy demonstrates proactive engagement, exemplified by the implementation of the Act East Policy.

The Look East policy, initiated in 1992, primarily concentrated on economic relations with Southeast Asia. In 2014, PM Modi revitalised India's foreign policy approach by transforming it into the more comprehensive Act East Policy (AEP), emphasising concrete actions and results.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In a special welcome, despite the rain, 6 top ministers of Sri Lanka received him at the airport.

Sri Lankan Ministers Vijitha Herath, Nalinda Jayatissa, Anil Jayantha, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Saroja Savithri Paulraj and Chrishantha Abeysena received PM Modi at the airport.

Waiting for PM Narendra Modi to arrive at a hotel, Priyanka, a member of the India diaspora, says, "We are very excited. I am going to tell him that we are very proud of the India that he is building for all of us. India has been shining like never before..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left Thailand and began the second leg of his foreign tour with a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, which will focus on defence ties and deepening cooperation in energy, trade, and connectivity.

PM Modi last travelled to Sri Lanka in 2019, and this will be his fourth visit to the island nation since 2015. Notably, the prime minister will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka after he took charge last September.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted a brass Sarnath Buddha in 'dhyan mudra' to Thailand King Maha Vajiralongkorn and a brocade silk shawl to the queen, officials said on Friday. Modi chose a brass dokra peacock themed board as his gift for Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and silver-gold cufflinks for her spouse.

The officials said that Modi gifted a brass urli with peacock and diya to former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The brass statue of Sarnath Buddha is a stunning representation of Buddhist spirituality and Indian craftsmanship, inspired by the Sarnath style.

Originating from Bihar, the statue reflects the Gupta and Pala art traditions with its serene expression, intricately detailed robe and iconic lotus pedestal, they added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government on the sidelines of the 6th Bimstec Summit in Thailand.

In the meeting, PM Modi raised strong concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, especially Hindus, and asked the Bangladeshi government to thoroughly investigate incidents of violence against them.

PM Modi also stressed that "any rhetoric that vitiates the environment is best avoided," as per the foreign secretary.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Sri Lanka, from Bangkok in Thailand. The Prime Minister participated in the Bimstec Summit here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, today visited Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, popularly known as Wat Pho.

Prime Minister paid homage to the Reclining Buddha and offered ‘Sanghadana’ to senior Buddhists monks. Prime Minister also presented a replica of Ashokan Lion Capitol to the shrine of Reclining Buddha. On the occasion, he recalled the strong and vibrant civilizational ties that exist between the two countries.

Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay says, "I consider PM Modi as my elder brother. He guides me, so I consider him as my mentor, and every meeting with him is very special. This time also, we very briefly touched about the proceedings of BIMSTEC and India's leadership role in BIMSTEC as the biggest country, as the biggest Member State of BIMSTEC, most populous Member State, the biggest economy and the most powerful country in the BIMSTEC region. We look forward to India's leadership, and Prime Minister Modi has been exercising that leadership. So I mentioned on how good things look for BIMSTEC in finally achieving, realizing some of its potential. I've listened to the Lex Fridman interview with Prime Minister Modi, and I listened to it in English, but also in Hindi, even though I don't understand too much Hindi, but I wanted to listen to it in original, and I reported to Prime Minister. I said, elder brother, I listened to that podcast, and I saw a spiritual leader. I felt like I was listening to a spiritual master. It was very spiritually fulfilling."

In the meeting with Yunus, Modi underlined India's desire to forge a positive, constructive relationship with Bangladesh. In the meeting, Modi also underlined India's concerns on the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus. Modi urges Yunus to ensure protection of minorities in Bangladesh, investigate atrocities, ministry of external affairs informed in a press briefing.