Indian PM Narendra Modi was conferred with Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour, Mithra Vibhushana, on Saturday.
He is currently on a three-day visit to the Island Nation.
Modi received the award from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
After receiving the award, Modi said it is a tribute to the 1.4 billion people of India.
After receiving the award, Modi wrote on X: “It is a matter of immense pride for me to be conferred the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ by President Dissanayake today. This honour is not mine alone – it is a tribute to the 1.4 billion people of India. It symbolises the deep-rooted friendship and historic ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka.”
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for this honour,” he said.
Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on the invitation of President Disanayake, visited the Presidential Secretariat on Saturday.
“Modi was warmly welcomed by President Anura Kumara Disanayake upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat,” read a statement issued by the Sri Lankan President’s website.
Modi ceremonial welcome
The Indian PM, who reached Sri Lanka on Friday evening, on Saturday morning received a ceremonial welcome at the Independence Square in Colombo.
Modi was received by President Dissanayake at the Independence Square.
Five top Sri Lankan ministers, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, welcomed the Indian Prime Minister at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Friday evening.
The Prime Minister wrote on X, “Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programmes in Sri Lanka.”
BIMSTEC Summit
Modi is the first foreign leader whom Dissanayake is hosting as the country’s President.
Modi reached Sri Lanka after concluding a two-day tour to Thailand, where he attended the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.
