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India, Sri Lanka to sign historic defence pact during Modi’s visit

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For the first time, India and Sri Lanka are set to sign an ambitious defence cooperation pact during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo next week, in a significant move that comes nearly four decades after the IPKF’s intervention in the island nation.

The two sides are also likely to firm up a currency swap framework and seal several other agreements including one on debt restructuring following talks between Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka on April 5, people familiar with the matter said.

An arrangement to develop the Trincomalee oil firms jointly by India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates is also being finalised, they said. In the second and final leg of his two-nation tour, Modi will arrive in Sri Lanka on the evening of April 4 on a three-day trip after concluding his visit to Thailand.

At a media briefing Friday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on defence cooperation is expected to be inked and it is being signed for the first time.

If signed, the MoU on defence cooperation is set to signal a major upward trajectory in India-Sri Lanka defence leaving behind the bitter chapter relating to India pulling out the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from the island nation around 35 years ago.

Finer details of the proposed defence pact are not immediately available but it is expected to enhance the two-way defence engagements against the backdrop of China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

The docking of Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang’ at Hambantota port in August 2022 had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka. Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port in August 2023.

“Sri Lanka is an integral part of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the relationship, based on mutual trust and good will, has stood the test of time,” Misri said on the overall relations.

Modi’s visit will focus on promoting investments and deepening connectivity — physical connectivity, digital connectivity, energy connectivity and boost cooperation in various other domains, he said. Modi will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by Disanayaka in his capacity as the Sri Lankan president. Modi last travelled to Sri Lanka in 2019.

The prime minister’s trip to Sri Lanka comes over three months after Disanayaka visited India during which he categorically conveyed to Modi that the island nation will not allow its territory to be used against New Delhi’s security interests.

“India has come to the assistance of Sri Lanka at critical moments, most recently during the unprecedented economic crisis that it faced in 2022,” Misri said. “India was glad to be able to play a key role in economic stabilisation and recovery of Sri lanka, demonstrating its commitment as a dependable neighbour to Sri Lanka,” he said.

Misri said Modi’s visit to the island nation comes in the context of a recovering Sri Lankan economy. As Sri Lanka resumes its “growth path”, the visit is coming at an opportune moment for giving the two countries an opportunity to explore new areas of partnership and cooperation, he added.

Sri Lanka was reeling under a massive economic crisis two years back and India extended financial assistance worth USD 4.5 billion to the country. The foreign secretary said Modi is expected to raise the fishermen issue during his talks with Disanayaka.

This is a longstanding issue, Misri said, adding India has been highlighting the need to avoid use of force under all circumstances.The foreign secretary said a long-lasting solution can be found through constructive engagement. In Colombo, Modi and Disanayaka will dedicate several projects that are being built in that country with India’s assistance.

We will also witness exchange of several MoUs pertaining to energy connectivity, digitisation, health and multi-sectoral grant assistance, Misri said. The two leaders will also witness the virtual ground breaking of the Sampur solar energy project.

This is in many senses going to be a milestone in the bilateral partnership, Misri said. Modi is also scheduled to meet several political leaders. On April 6, Modi and Disanayaka will travel together to the historic city of Anuradhapura where they will pay their respects at the Mahabodhi temple.

They will also jointly inaugurate two India-assisted projects there, according to Misri. India-Sri Lanka bilateral ties witnessed upward trajectory in the last few years.

Source: PTI

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30 candidates arrested for election law violations in 2025 LG polls

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A total of 30 candidates have been arrested so far for violating election laws in connection with the 2025 Local Government (LG) election.

According to the police, these arrests were made from March 03 and 6.00 a.m. today (April 28).

During this period, a total of 30 candidates and 131 supporters were arrested and 31 vehicles were taken into Police custody during this period.

Police received 313 complaints related to election law violations and 85 complaints regarding criminal acts during this period.

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02 days to collect devotees’ unclaimed luggage after ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

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The Civil Security Department, which supervised the safekeeping of luggage belonging to devotees visiting the Sri Dalada Maligawa, has announced a special program to return unclaimed items.

Luggage items that remained unclaimed after the pilgrimage remain securely stored at the original handover points.

A special program is being held today and tomorrow (April 28 and 29) in front of the Joy Boat Service in Wewaravu, Kandy, to facilitate the return of the luggage.

Devotees are requested to visit the location and present their identity documents to claim their belongings.

For further information, please contact the following Civil Security Department officers:

  • Police Constable Dissanayake – 0715803000
  • Senior Inspector Abeyratne – 0775311797
  • Female Sub Inspector Chandani Madhurasinghe – 0710965890

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Chief Prelates announce successful conclusion of ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

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The Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters and the Sri Dalada Maligawa have issued a joint statement, announcing that the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic – “Siri Dalada Wandanawa,” was successfully concluded.

The “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” which was held for 10 consecutive days from April 18 ended yesterday (April 27). 
The statement mentions that, following a request from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, this rare opportunity was made available to the public after a period of 16 years.

Noting that thousands of devotees, both local and foreign, paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters and the Sri Dalada Maligawa have expressed their satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

The joint statement also expressed immense gratitude to all those involved in making the special explosion a resounding success and the largest gathering of Buddhist devotees for pilgrimage in the history of the country.

This joint statement was issued with the signatures of Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangalabidhana Mahanayake Thero, Most Venerable Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi Sri Pagghananda Gnanarathanabidhana Mahanayake Thero, and the Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara.

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