President wishes to Modi on his third term as India’s PM

• Leaders reaffirm commitment to strengthening Indo-Lanka ties

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday extended his warm congratulations to Narendra Modi, who was sworn in for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India. 

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong Indo-Sri Lankan relations,  the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. 

The swearing-in ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday was a grand event, attended by President Wickremesinghe at the special invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several regional leaders, including Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal, President of the Republic Maldives Mohamed Muizzu, Vice President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth and Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay. President Ranil Wickremesinghe received high recognition from these leaders, said PMD.

After taking the oath of office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posed for a group photo with the regional leaders, with President Wickremesinghe seated next to him.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and other State leaders attended a dinner organised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

PMD said the Indian media gave special attention to President Wickremesinghe’s presence at the swearing-in ceremony, with billboards displaying images of him and Prime Minister Modi prominently placed around major roundabouts in New Delhi.

President Wickremesinghe was accompanied at the event by President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Wijewardene, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Kshenuka Senewiratne, Government Information Director General Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne, and President’s Private Secretary Sandra Perera.