Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is currently on an official visit to India. During this visit, she met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Discussions were held between the two leaders on several important issues, including strengthening bilateral cooperation, advancing development projects, and the welfare of Indian fishermen.
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at his official residence on Friday. This meeting took place during the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's three-day visit to India, which is her first official visit since assuming office. In this meeting, both leaders discussed several important issues such as strengthening bilateral relations, regional development, education, innovation, women's empowerment, and the welfare of Indian fishermen.
Cooperation on Education, Technology, and Innovation
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Amarasuriya agreed to enhance cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the fields of education and technology. During her stay in India, Amarasuriya visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where she discussed possibilities for partnership in innovation, technical research, and higher education.
Both leaders believe that education and innovation are key to future progress. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister praised India's digital education system and technical excellence, stating that Sri Lanka wishes to learn from these experiences to improve its own education sector.
Women's Empowerment and Social Development
Women's empowerment was also a special focus of the discussion. Prime Minister Modi stated that India has initiated several effective measures to advance women in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and India is prepared to share these experiences with its neighboring countries. Amarasuriya, who herself comes from the field of education and social justice, said that Sri Lanka would also draw inspiration from India's initiatives and take concrete steps to increase women's participation in society.
The issue of fishermen between India and Sri Lanka has long been considered sensitive. Disputes often arise concerning activities related to the maritime boundaries between the two countries. In this context, Prime Minister Modi and Amarasuriya discussed the safety of Indian fishermen, the return of seized boats, and the welfare of traditional fishing communities.
Both leaders agreed that it is essential to find a permanent solution to this issue through a humanitarian approach to protect the lives and livelihoods of fishermen from both countries.
Prime Minister Modi's Social Media Post
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi shared a post on the social media platform ‘X’, writing,
'It gives me pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya of Sri Lanka. In our meeting, we had meaningful discussions on several important topics such as education, women's empowerment, innovation, development, and the welfare of fishermen. As close neighbors, cooperation between India and Sri Lanka is crucial for the prosperity of the people of both countries and the entire region.'
During her visit to India, Prime Minister Amarasuriya also visited Hindu College at Delhi University — the very institution where she pursued her undergraduate studies in Sociology between 1991 and 1994. Returning to her alma mater, she relived her student life memories. The college administration, faculty, and students extended a warm welcome to her. The campus was adorned with posters and welcome banners. The college principal, Anju Srivastava, felicitated her with a bouquet.
On this occasion, Amarasuriya stated, 'Hindu College gave me the perspective to think, understand, and fulfill my responsibilities towards society. My days of study in India have profoundly influenced my personality.'
