Prime Minister Narendra Modi today embarked on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka.

During his two-day trip to Colombo, he will visit Seema Malaka Temple (Gangaramaya Temple).

Thereafter, Modi will attend a private dinner with President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena at “Temple Trees”, the latter's official residence. The PM, at the Bandarnaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BIMCH) will deliver a celebratory address on the occasion of International Vesak Day, the biggest festival of Buddhists, on May 12.

Modi will then inaugurate the 15-bed Dickoya Hospital that has been built with Indian assistance. He will also be addressing the Indian-origin Tamil community at Norwood Grounds. He will then meet representatives of the Ceylon Workers Congress (TBC). The Prime Minister will also be holding a meeting with representatives of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TBC).

Modi in a Facebook post prior to his departure said, “This will be my second bilateral visit there in two years, a sign of our strong relationship.”

“During my visit, I will join the International Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo on 12th May, where I will interact with leading Buddhist spiritual leaders, scholars and theologians,” Modi wrote. He said it was an honor for him to join these celebrations with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“My visit brings to the fore one of the most abiding links between India and Sri Lanka - the shared heritage of Buddhism,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister recalled that during his last visit in 2015, he had the opportunity to visit a UNESCO world heritage site and a leading centre of Buddhism for centuries, the “Anuradhapura”. “This time, I will be privileged to pay respect at the revered Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic,” he said.

SUPRAJA