April 06, Colombo (LNW): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to conclude his official visit to Sri Lanka with a significant stop in the ancient city of Anuradhapura today (06).
The visit, his first since 2019, comes at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and represents a renewed chapter in Indo-Lanka relations following a period of political transition in Colombo.
Prime Minister Modi will visit the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, one of the most venerated sites in Buddhism, where he is expected to participate in religious observances alongside President Dissanayake.
The presence of the two leaders at this deeply symbolic site underlines the shared cultural and spiritual heritage that binds the two nations.
Later in the day, the two heads of state will jointly unveil the newly modernised railway signalling system at Anuradhapura Railway Station. This upgrade, supported through Indian development assistance, forms part of a broader initiative to revitalise Sri Lanka’s railway infrastructure.
Also being inaugurated is the improved Maho-Omanthai railway line—another key milestone in the bilateral cooperation between the countries.
Over the past three days, the Indian Prime Minister has engaged in a wide range of diplomatic and developmental initiatives aimed at consolidating ties across strategic sectors.
High-level talks between Modi and Dissanayake were held at the Presidential Secretariat, where the leaders explored avenues to strengthen collaboration in defence, renewable energy, digital connectivity, trade, and infrastructure.
Several bilateral agreements were signed during the visit, including a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. A notable highlight was the trilateral agreement between India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates, which paves the way for transforming Trincomalee into a regional energy hub—a project expected to have long-term implications for the energy security of the island.
India also extended its support for key developmental and cultural initiatives, including the rollout of 5,000 solar rooftop units across Sri Lanka, the commencement of the 120 MW Sampur Solar Power Project, and the restoration and development of historic religious sites such as the Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee.
The two leaders jointly launched these projects in a virtual ceremony, further reinforcing the emphasis on energy sustainability and cultural diplomacy.
Modi’s arrival on 4 April was marked by a ceremonial reception at Independence Square, making him the first foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka since President Dissanayake assumed office in late 2024.
His visit has been viewed as a signal of India’s firm commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term stability in the wake of past fiscal challenges.
To accommodate today’s high-level programme, several roads in Anuradhapura will experience temporary closures. Motorists are advised to expect limited access to key routes including the Anuradhapura Air Force Base Road, areas surrounding the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the railway station, and prominent intersections like Harischandra Junction and the Hospital Roundabout. Road closures are expected to be in effect between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and residents are encouraged to use alternative routes to minimise delays.
