Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Sri Lanka upon a foreign national.
Colombo: The Sri Lankan government conferred its highest non-citizen award, the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan,’ upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This honor recognizes his significant contribution to strengthening the historic friendship between India and Sri Lanka. Accepting the award, PM Modi stated, “This honor is not mine, but belongs to 1.4 billion Indians who share deep and affectionate ties with Sri Lanka.”
The award was presented by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, since its inception in 2008, has presented this award to only a select few global leaders.
What is the 'Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan' award?
It is Sri Lanka's highest non-citizen award, presented to foreign leaders who have fostered exceptionally friendly relations with Sri Lanka and elevated bilateral cooperation to new heights. The award includes a specially designed silver medal and a citation, featuring symbols representing Sri Lanka's cultural heritage, such as the lotus, moon, sun, and rice grains.
Three-Day Visit Ushers in New Era of Defense and Energy Cooperation
During Prime Minister Modi's three-day visit to Sri Lanka, several significant agreements were reached between the two countries in areas such as defense cooperation, energy development, and trilateral strategic partnerships.
* Defense Agreement – An agreement was signed to further strengthen the defense partnership between India and Sri Lanka. This is considered a crucial step for both countries' maritime security and strategic partnership.
* Energy Sector Cooperation – PM Modi and President Wickremesinghe agreed to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub and virtually inaugurated the Sampur Solar Project.
* Trilateral MoU – India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates also signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding, opening new avenues for future economic cooperation and investment.
Historic Welcome at Independence Square
Sri Lanka welcomed Prime Minister Modi at Colombo's iconic Independence Square, in what is being hailed as one of the most grand welcomes ever accorded to a foreign leader. This site symbolizes Sri Lanka's independence, and the welcome signifies the deep emotional connection between the two nations, extending beyond formal ties.
This visit clearly indicates that India is not only strengthening economic and strategic partnerships with its neighboring countries but also emphasizing cultural and historical relations. PM Modi's award in Sri Lanka is considered a major success for India's 'Neighborhood First' policy.
