President Anura Kumara Disanayaka successfully concluded the State Visit to India, at the invitation of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, from 15-17 December 2024. This was his first State Visit since being elected President in September, symbolizing the deep rooted cultural and civilizational ties and the vibrant contemporary relationship nurtured by the two countries.
Received by President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan with a 21-gun salute and Honour Guard. The two Presidents also had discussions on matters relating to the bilateral relationship, including the need for enhanced cooperation in a myriad of spheres based on the common heritage of tradition and values, and a vision for the future. A State Banquet in honour of President Disanayaka was hosted by President Murmu.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the Sri Lankan President and the delegation at Hyderabad House for comprehensive talks on the gamut of matters of mutual bilateral interest focusing on connectivity, development cooperation, agriculture, trade, investment, tourism, fisheries issues and people to people ties. The President invited the Indian Prime Minister to undertake an Official visit to Sri Lanka at mutual convenience.
The bilateral talks culminated in the ‘India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement - Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future’, affirming commitment to progress the bilateral relationship to a mutually beneficial partnership for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries.
Two bilateral legal instruments, namely, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration and National Centre for Good Governance of the Government of India for training and capacity-building of 1500 civil servants of Sri Lanka and a Protocol for amending the Agreement of Avoidance of Double Taxation were exchanged by the two sides.
Both leaders jointly addressed the media at the Hyderabad House highlighting the salient aspects of the discussions and envisioned trajectory for future bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, President Disanayaka paid tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, the memorial for the ‘Father of the Nation’. He also planted an ‘Ashoka Pendula’ plant at the adjacent Gandhi Darshan precinct.
Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, Minister of Health & Family Welfare and President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on President Disanayaka during his stay in New Delhi.
The President also graced the India-Sri Lanka Business Forum with Minister of Commerce and Industry of India Piyush Goyal, which was organized by India’s main chambers of commerce - Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). Outlining the Sri Lanka government’s vision for greater trade and economic relations with India, the President observed that the Indian industry has a significant opportunity in sectors such as tourism, IT, digital economy and renewable energy, among others. Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando also addressed the forum.
President Disanayaka also travelled to Bodh Gaya, where he paid homage to the sacred relics of the Buddha, Vajrasana which marks the location of the Buddha's enlightenment and the sacred Bodhi Tree. He offered Buddha pooja and alms to the resident venerable monks.
During the visit, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath was hosted to an interaction by the India Foundation, a premier think tank in India. Addressing an audience comprising eminent citizens, including former diplomats, officials, academics, intellectuals based in Delhi, Minister Herath shared insights on the vision for the bilateral relations, predicated on the overwhelming and unprecedented mandate received by the country’s leadership and government at the recent presidential and parliamentary elections.
In addition to the two Ministers, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Kshenuka Senewiratne, Director General/ South Asia & SAARC of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Niluka Kadurugamuwa and senior officials of the Ministry and the High Commission in New Delhi were associated with President Disanayaka in his engagements in India.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
Colombo
17 December 2024
