Category: Colombo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that he believes Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning side with their aggressive and unique style of batting gave birth to T20 cricket.

In a significant gesture underscoring growing bilateral goodwill, Sri Lanka on Sunday released 14 Indian fishermen, during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the island nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and laid a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, near Colombo, on Saturday evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the 120 MW Sampur Solar power project, being developed as a joint venture between the two nations.

Praising Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his "personal commitment to India-Sri Lanka ties", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the two countries have added more momentum to linkages in security, trade, agriculture, housing, culture and other sectors during the bilateral discussions held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, on Saturday.

Several key agreements, including on defence cooperation and development of Trincomalee as an energy hub, were signed following the bilateral discussions held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, on Saturday.

In a grand recognition of his efforts to strengthen India-Sri Lanka ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday conferred with the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana, the island nation's highest civilian honour for Heads of State and Government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand ceremonial welcome at the Independence Square in Colombo on Saturday, as Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake hosted him during his State Visit to the island nation.

India and Sri Lanka are set to sign a major Defence cooperation pact during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing visit to Colombo, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and countering the growing military influence of China in the region. 

During his day-long visit, Jaishankar called on Dissanayake, met with Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and held discussions with the country's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He also met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party leader Sajith Premadasa.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on Friday, affirming the island nation's special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced late Thursday that his government has reinstated the previous visa issuance system, effective midnight.

The result was decided Sunday evening after Sri Lanka's first-ever presidential run-off with the counting of second preference votes as both Dissanayake and Samagi Jana Sandhanaya party's Sajith Premadasa failed to get the required percentage of votes.

Early results from Sri Lanka's Presidential election indicate that Anura Kumara Dissanayake, 55, leader of the National People's Power (NPP), may become the country's first leftist head of state, as reported by local media.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party and Namal Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party cast their votes on Saturday as the island nation holds its presidential election, the first after its worst-ever economic crisis.

Making a special speech in the Lankan Parliament, Premadasa emphasised that India, with its status as the world's most populous country and a significant global economic and military power, deserves this recognition.

Sri Lanka has sent a "strong message" to its two nuclear-armed neighbours - India and Pakistan - by acceding to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), said an official associated with the island nation's disarmament forum.

Joining the India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association through a video message, the EAM also reiterated India's support for the preservation of Sri Lanka's multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-religious identity.

Norwegian government has announced that it will shut down its embassy in Sri Lanka on July 31, and from August 1, its New Delhi-based diplomatic mission would be responsible for the country’s bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The bus carrying over 67 passengers to Akkaraipaththu had fallen into the Mahaweli river, one of the four main rivers in the country. Some of those who fell into the river were rescued by the military and villagers in the area. 

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated that there was no military agreement with China and that he would not allow the island nation to be used as a base for any threat against India.

Answering a question on region's growing competition between China and other countries, President Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka maintains a close relationship with all members of the Quad and China as well.

A top level delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Colombo met the head monk of one of the influential Buddhist chapters in the country and told him that China strongly opposes any foreign country receiving the Tibetan spiritual leader, who is exiled in India.

Ahead of visit by India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Sri Lanka this week, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured to fully implement the India-brokered 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Former Secretary of Defence Hemasiri Fernando was also ordered to pay 50 million LKR, while former Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) Sisira Mendis was asked to pay 10 million LKR as compensation.