PM Modi to visit Jaffna, Anuradhapura

Saturday, 7 March 2015 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Host of landmark events lined up for historic tour of Indian Premier

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 13 to 14 March at the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena, Foreign Affairs Ministry formally announced yesterday. It said on 13 March, Prime Minister Modi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome including a Guard of Honour and Gun Salute. President Maithripala Sirisena will hold bilateral discussions with the visiting Prime Minister and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will host a lunch in honour Prime Minister Modi.

India’s Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj who arrived yesterday called on President Maithripala Sirisena at his Wijerama residence - Pic by Chandana Perera

The Indian Prime Minister will address a Special Sitting of Parliament. He will also lay a wreath at the IPKF Memorial and visit the Mahabodhi Society. President Maithripala Sirisena will host a State Banquet in honour of the visiting Prime Minister. During the visit, the Indian Premier is expected to travel to Anuradhapura, Talaimannar and Jaffna. In Anuradhapura, he will visit the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi. While in Jaffna, the visiting Prime Minister will unveil a plaque at the site of the proposed India-funded Jaffna Cultural Centre and also hand over to beneficiaries, houses built with Indian assistance. In Talaimannar, he will flag off the first train signifying recommencement of the Talaimannar/Medawachchiya sector of the train service to Colombo, following the rehabilitation work carried out with Indian credit assistance. Prime Minister NarendraModi’s visit is the first official visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Prime Minister after lapse of 27 years. President Maithripala Sirisena undertook his first State visit to India from 15 to 18 February, after assumption of the Presidency. The exchange of high level visits is a manifestation of the keen desire of the two countries to build upon and nurture an age-old friendship to a level of extraordinary level of excellence.

Tight security for Modi’s Parliament address

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent Parliament security will be tightened next week ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody informed the House yesterday.

During the official two-day visit, Prime Minster Modi will address Parliament on 13 March at 3.15 p.m. Briefing the MPs about security arrangements, Deputy Speaker Weerakkody said: “The public gallery will be closed on 13 March. Security personnel will check all rooms and lockers, including MP’s wardrobes. The public gallery will be limited to invitees but members can bring in their spouses.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip is the first official visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Prime Minister after 27 years. It is rare for a foreign leader to address Parliament and Prime Minister Modi will be the first one to do so since former Thai Premier Yingluck Shinawatra delivered a speech in Parliament on 31 May 2013. According to the visit schedule, Prime Minister Modi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival on 13 March before he engages in bilateral discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will then host a lunch in honour of Prime Minister Modi before he delivers his parliamentary address. He will also lay a wreath at the IPKF Memorial and visit the Mahabodhi Society. President Maithripala Sirisena will host a state banquet in honour of the visiting Prime Minister. During the visit, the Indian Premier is expected to travel to Anuradhapura, Talaimannar and Jaffna. In Anuradhapura, he will visit the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi. While in Jaffna, the visiting Prime Minister will unveil a plaque at the site of the proposed India-funded Jaffna Cultural Centre and also hand over houses built with Indian assistance to their owners. In Talaimannar, he will flag off the first train from the local station, signifying the recommencement of the Talaimannar-Medawachchiya section of the train service to Colombo, following rehabilitation work carried out with Indian credit assistance.