Prime Minister Modi’s excellent opportunity to visit India and Sri Lanka: Foreign Minister Vigiza Hra

What is the agenda when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Sri Lanka later this week?

The Indian Prime Minister came to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the president. This will be a great opportunity for us and I think it will be a great opportunity for both countries.

After attending the Bimstec summit in Thailand, PM Modi arrived in Sri Lanka on the evening of April 4. the next day [April 5, 2025]will provide the Indian Prime Minister of Independence Square with honorary guards. The President, Prime Minister and Senior Minister will be around us. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar, NSA Doval and some other officials will also participate.

Soon after, they will arrive at the Presidential Secretariat for a brief welcome ceremony. A delegation-level meeting led by the President of Sri Lankan and Prime Minister of India will be held, followed by signing eight Mous and several virtual openings – the launch of the Dambulla Cold Storage Stroce plant and the Sampur Solar Power Project of Trincomalee, as well as certain religious sites.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will award the “Mitra Vibhushana” honor on PM Modi. [The title was instituted in 2008 and is conferred on Heads of State and Heads of Government of countries with which Sri Lanka has friendly relations “in appreciation of their friendship towards and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.”] After that, the leader will speak to the media. Later, PM Modi planned to visit the Indian Peace Force (IPKF) Memorial Hall and pay tribute. In the evening, a banquet will be held at the President’s residence.

The next morning [April 6, 2025]our President and PM Modi will head to Anuradhapura [ancient capital in North Central Province]. They will pray at Sri Maha Bodhi [Bo tree considered sacred by Buddhists]They will then head to Anuradhapura Railway Station to turn on the signal system of the Northern Railway Line. PM Modi will travel to Rameswaram from there. This is a half-day plan.

Can you elaborate on the Moore signed during the PM Modi visit?

Yes, eight Moss will be signed. One is the energy grid connection between the two countries, and the second is the development of the transforests as an energy hub – a tripartite agreement between India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. Then, we have a plan on digital. The fourth is in the field of defense – although some oppositions raised questions, it only has to do with training programs and receiving some equipment. There is nothing in the agreement that is harmful to Sri Lanka. The remaining memorandums of understanding are related to cooperation between the health sector, development projects in the eastern provinces and debt restructuring.

Our cabinet has approved these. I think there are similar recognitions in India and the UAE. Many of these were initiatives discussed in the past, with many discussions since then, several amendments and changes. This is a long-term process. For example, grid connection suggestions have been discussed for more than a decade. After evaluating these recommendations, our new government has taken quick action.

Many of these initiatives appear to be based on discussions on visiting New Delhi in December 2024. [National People’s Power] Have you come on stage?

Historically, especially in the 1980s, there was a problem. Now the world has changed, India has changed, and Sri Lanka has changed. As global politics shifts, we have also changed our stance. After taking office, the NPP government began to establish close ties with India. We are continuing to do this and strengthen our relationship. India is our closest neighbor, and we share the connection between history and civilization. Buddhism comes from India, we are very close [religious and cultural] Link.

You say your government is building a close connection. Meanwhile, President Disnayek and the government have a firm stance on the Adani power project on the grounds of high tariffs. Do you think this will affect the FDI, especially the relationship in India, as some people in Sri Lanka are worried?

Regarding the Adani Power project, pricing is the only question. Another Adani project is going well – Suit container terminal project in Colombo port [executed by Adani Ports] Get on track. Therefore, criticism that some people object to our position will affect FDI or our Indian connections is incorrect. Without this impact, foreign investment continues. As far as electricity projects are concerned, they [Adani Green] Three weeks ago, we were sent another letter indicating that they were willing to reopen the negotiations. We have expressed our position on the need to reduce tariffs and we are willing to impose tariffs based on this.

Yes, so you notice that the government’s ties with India are in a strong foothold. You also point to the ever-changing global political landscape and world order. Sri Lanka is located in a strategically important region. Is your government feeling pressured by balanced India and China?

Actually, there is no pressure, but we are balancing [ties]. If you consider the global geopolitical situation, everyone is very aware that China, India, the United States and Russia are playing an important role. Therefore, as a small country, we must establish good relations with all of these countries. We have good relations with China, and we have good relations with India, the United States and Russia. Today, we are distributing fertilizer to farmers, which is a huge grant from Russia. In our assessment, the new U.S. tariff policy will not affect small economies like us in any major way.

We see the value of being part of regional institutions like Bimstec [Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation] and iora [Indian Ocean Rim Association] Our Chairman. We also make connections with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]. These are very important to our economy, our regional security and maritime partnerships.

No country has any pressure. As a new government, our foreign policy is maintaining good contact with all our partners and keeping in mind the best interests of the Sri Lankan and Sri Lankan people. We will always be concerned about our national integrity and sovereignty.

During President Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi Joint Statement The question of Tamil is not mentioned, that is, India’s interest in India has been full of interest in India in history. Does this indicate a shift in India’s interactions with Sri Lanka?

The Indian government knows very well that Sri Lankans are not only Tamils, but also Sinhalese and Muslim people, and that we are a multi-ethnic country. Therefore, India has always been paying attention to all Sri Lankans. This is a good change.

Otherwise, for this reason [India’s historic involvement in the ethnic conflict]. Now that has changed, the Sinhalese acknowledge and support all Sri Lankans’ appreciation. Both sides have a greater understanding.

Speaking at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva in February, you mentioned the tasks received by the government from all over the country, including the north and east where the Tamils ​​live. The election you talk about is contracted between citizens and government. What is this contract like, especially for the Tamils ​​who voted a lot for you?

Our Government has taken a firm stand to build national unity in our country. That’s why Tamils ​​from the north and east voted for us. The Tamils ​​in the mountain country also voted for us. Regardless of race, race or religion, we are committed to ensuring equal rights for all people. We are gradually building national unity while protecting the political, economic and human rights of all our peoples. We are taking more steps to do this. If you consider the past, whether we like it or not, there are many disturbing chapters in our history, whether it is the North or the South. We must learn from the past to ensure there is no recurrence. The Tamils ​​and Muslim people put trust in us and we have the confidence to work with the support of all of us.

Your government has committed to a new constitution. What is the schedule you are looking at?

From the outset, our government has been prioritizing economic recovery. We inherited an economy that collapsed and required urgent action. Therefore, we must focus on working for the economic recovery and we have been taking all the necessary steps to overcome this challenge. At the same time, we will initiate the process of negotiating the new constitution with everyone. We will do it in the near future. I can’t say what the schedule is, but after overcoming the immediate economic challenge, we’ll solve this problem. Local government elections are coming, and this is important to our democracy.

Provincial parliamentary elections are also scheduled to be held later this year, aren’t they?

Yes, that’s right.