Bangkok: Over a month since the country witnessed the biggest-ever Chinese development vandalising its national assets and self-esteem, Narendra Modi, bringing its threads together in a visit to Sri Lanka, was conferred with its highest civilian honour – “Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan” – by President Anura Kumar Dissanayake at a ceremony in Colombo on Saturday, ushering in deeper and quiet, long-lasting ties. The fact that they also receive this recognition further attests to the bond they share.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech was appealing by pointing out historical ties between the two countries, comparing Sri Lanka not only as a neighbouring nation but also as one of India’s oldest friends and closest allies. India has always supported Sri Lanka in crisis times and will continue to do so in the future too.
Arguing that the world needed to provide India assistance in this hour of difficulty, PM Modi noted that Sri Lanka, too, had experienced problems such as terror attacks in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an economic downturn. He made sure that this support for the Sri Lankan people during these difficult times was turned from a loan of 100 million dollars into a grant within six months.
He added that the PM also announced that India would give 240 million Sri Lankan rupees worth of aid for development in the eastern provinces of the island nation and lower interest rates on loans as a message that India is in full solidarity with Sri Lanka. He said India was following the path of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and emphasised how its partner countries’ interests would be above its national interest.
After receiving the award, premier Modi said that the award of “Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan” to him is an award not only to him but also to 1.4 billion Indians. In return, he promised that India will support all that Sri Lanka needs hereafter while thanking the President, government and people of Sri Lanka for this distinguished honour and enhancing these all-time good relations between two neighbouring great nations.
Anura Kumar Dissanayake, here addressing an election rally on the same day, went on to explain that Prime Minister Modi had earned this respect owing to the deep historical, cultural and religious links that exist between India and Sri Lanka. He noted that India and Sri Lanka have long been friends as well as share values, respect, and interests.