WEB DESK
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday and congratulated him on having completed 50 years since his first term as a parliamentarian in Sri Lanka. Mr. Modi also recalled Rajapaksa’s contributions to the development of Sri Lanka in his long political career, and extended his wishes for his future.
Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his condolences at the untimely demise of Mr. Arumugam Thondaman, a prominent leader of the Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister recalled the role that Mr. Thondaman had played in taking forward the development partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Mr. Arumugan Thondaman was a Ceylon Workers’ Congress leader and a Cabinet Minister in Sri Lanka who passed away on Tuesday after a sudden illness.
Both the leaders discussed the health and economic impact of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and the measures being taken in the two countries to counter them. Prime Minister assured his Sri Lankan counterpart that India stands ready to extend all possible support to Sri Lanka during this challenging time.
