Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded Sri Lanka's highest civilian honor, 'Mitra Vibhushan' by President Anura Kumar Dissanayake
Colombo, April 5 (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the 'Mitra Vibhushan' medal by the Sri Lankan government on Saturday. This honor was given to Prime Minister Modi for his exceptional efforts in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries and promoting the cultural and spiritual heritage of both Sri Lanka and India.
The award was presented to Prime Minister Modi on the first day of his visit to Sri Lanka. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Modi visited Sri Lanka after taking office in September 2022, becoming the first foreign leader to meet Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake.
This award marks Prime Minister Modi's 22nd international honor from a foreign country. According to the Sri Lankan President's office, the 'Mitra Vibhushan' medal was specifically established to reflect the depth and warmth of the friendship between India and Sri Lanka, symbolizing the significance of bilateral ties. It is a tribute to Modi's leadership, which reflects his strong commitment to regional cooperation, cultural revival, and spiritual diplomacy.
The Prime Minister's visit to Sri Lanka is highly significant as it aims to enhance bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation in energy and security sectors. India has provided $4 billion in assistance for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and has played a key role in supporting Sri Lanka's debt restructuring efforts.
In addition, several important agreements will be signed during the visit in areas such as energy, digitization, security, and healthcare development.
Through this visit, Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Dissanayake will hold bilateral talks, where discussions will cover issues including India’s debt restructuring and other crucial matters.
