Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a two-day visit to Sri Lanka from May 11, where he will attend the International Vesak Day celebrations. Mr Modi’s visit is taking place at the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena.
Briefing media, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, Sanjay Panda said, there will be no formal meetings and signing of agreements as the visit is in connection with Vesak day, but Mr Modi will be interacting with the Sri Lankan leaders on the sidelines of the celebrations.
He said, Mr Modi will inaugurate a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital at Dickoya. The hospital funded by India is part of developmental cooperation with the Island nation.
Mr Modi will visit Kandy in the Central Province and meet Indian-origin tea plantation workers. He will also attend lamp lighting ceremony at Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo. He will also be unveiling a plaque commemorating the foundation laying of the faculty of the Kandyan dance, which is being constructed with India’s grant assistance. Renowned sand sculptor, Sudarshan Patnaik is in Colombo.
He will make world’s longest sand Buddha statue at a special Vesak zone near parliament building.
Vesak, which is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, marks commemoration of Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away. Over 400 delegates from more than 100 countries will participate in the International Buddhist Conference in Colombo.
Sanjay Panda said, the theme of Vesak day celebration this year is Buddhist teachings for social justice and sustainable world peace.
Panda said, India’s ties with Sri Lanka have witnessed qualitative transformation in the last few years and both the countries are willing to strengthen and diversify the relationship further. He said, the Prime Minister had travelled to Sri Lanka in March, 2015 and it is hoped that this visit will be able to provide further momentum in ties between the two countries.
In reply to a question on fisherman issue, Mr Panda said, as of now only five fisherman are in Sri Lankan custody and all other have been released.
On the release of boats, he said, Sri Lanka after initial hitch has ultimately assured to release the boats. India persuaded Sri Lanka to release the boats as a confidence building measure.
On devolution of power to Sri Lankan Tamils, Mr Panda said, India hopes that Sri Lanka will be able to fulfill its commitments within two years extended time given by the UN Human Rights Commission. On Indo-Sri Lanka economic and technology cooperative agreement, Mr Panda said, four rounds of discussions have been completed and it is expected to be finalised by the end of this year