Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi issuing a joint press statement on Saturday [05] said that the bilateral  ‘Debt Restructuring Agreement’ between India and Sri Lanka, will provide immediate assistance and relief to the people of Sri Lanka and that In the last 6 months alone, the Indian government  has  converted loans worth more than USD 100 million into grants.

The English Translation of Press Statement by Prime Minister during the Joint Press Statement with the President of Sri Lanka (April 05, 2025) issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs follows:

“Your Excellency President Disanayaka ji,

Delegates from both countries,

Friends from the media,

Namaskar!

Ayubowan!

Vanakkam!

It is a matter of great pride for me to be awarded the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ by President Disanayaka today. This award does not only honour me, but also honours 140 crore Indians. It is a tribute to the historic ties and deep friendship between the people of India and Sri Lanka.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the President, the Sri Lankan Government and to the people of Sri Lanka, for this honour.

Friends,

As Prime Minister, this is my fourth visit to Sri Lanka. My last visit in 2019 came at a very sensitive time. It was my firm belief at the time that Sri Lanka will rise, and rise stronger.

I applaud the courage and patience of the Sri Lankan people, and today, I am happy to see Sri Lanka back on the path of progress. India is proud to have fulfilled its duties as a true friendly neighbour. Whether it was the terrorist attack of 2019, the COVID pandemic, or the recent economic crisis, we have stood firmly with the people of Sri Lanka during every difficulty.

I am reminded of the words of the great Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar. He said:

Seyar Kariya Yaavul
Natt Pinn
Aadu Pul
Vinnaikkariya Yaavul Kaapu

Which means, in the face of challenges and enemies, there is no stronger assurance than a true friend and the shield of his friendship.

Friends,

President Disanayaka chose India for his first foreign visit after becoming President, and I have had the privilege of becoming his first foreign guest. This is a symbol of the depth of our special relations.

Sri Lanka has a special place in both our Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’. In the last four months, since President Disanayaka’s visit to India, we have made significant progress in our cooperation.

The Sampur Solar Power Plant will help Sri Lanka achieve energy security. The agreement reached to build a multi-product pipeline, and to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub will benefit all Sri Lankans. The Grid Inter-Connectivity Agreement between the two countries will create opportunities for Sri Lanka to export electricity.

I am pleased that today a 5,000 Solar Rooftop System will be inaugurated for religious places in Sri Lanka. India will also provide support for the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity project.

Friends,

India has adopted the vision of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. We also value the priorities of our partner countries.

In the last 6 months alone, we have converted loans worth more than USD 100 million into grants. Our bilateral ‘Debt Restructuring Agreement’ will provide immediate assistance and relief to the people of Sri Lanka. Today we have also decided to reduce interest rates. It symbolises that even today, India stands with the people of Sri Lanka.

For the social and economic development of the Eastern Provinces, a support package of approximately 2.4 billion Lankan Rupees will be provided. Today we also inaugurated Sri Lanka’s largest warehouse for the welfare of farmers.

Tomorrow we will inaugurate the ‘Maho-Omanthai’ railway line, and lay the foundation stone for the signalling system on the ‘Maho-Anuradhapura’ section. Work for the modernisation of the Kankesanthurai Port will begin soon.

For the Indian Origin Tamil Community in Sri Lanka, the construction work of 10,000 houses will be completed soon. Training will be provided to an additional 700 Sri Lankan personnel. They will include Members of Parliament, personnel associated with the judiciary, entrepreneurs, media persons, as well as young leaders.

Friends,

We believe that we have shared security interests. The security of both countries is interconnected and co-dependent.

I am grateful to President Disanayaka for his sensitivity towards India’s interests. We welcome the important agreements made in the area of Defence Cooperation. We have also agreed to work together on the Colombo Security Conclave and Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean.

Friends,

There is centuries old spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka.

I am extremely happy to announce that the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha found in 1960, in the Aravali region of my home state – Gujarat, are being sent to Sri Lanka for an exposition.

India will assist in the renovation of the Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee. India will also provide support in the construction of the sacred city in the Anuradhapura Mahabodhi temple complex, and the Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya.

Friends,

We also discussed issues related to fishermen’s livelihood. We agreed that we should proceed with a humane approach in this matter. We also emphasised on immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.

We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Disanayaka appraised me of his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan Government will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people ​​and fulfil its commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and conducting Provincial Council Elections.

Friends,

Relations between India and Sri Lanka are based on mutual trust and goodwill. We will continue to work together to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of our people.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Disanayaka for his warm welcome. I am confident that in the times to come we will take our partnership to new heights.

Thank you very much!
Nandri!
Bohoma Sthuthi! “

A discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat between President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Committee appointed to submit recommendations on the new U.S. tariff system.

During the meeting, the Committee’s proposals concerning the country’s strategic response to the imposition of these new tariffs, as well as the next steps that should be taken were reviewed in detail.

Furthermore, the Sri Lankan government is expected to initiate prompt discussions with the U.S. government regarding possible relief measures.

The Committee comprises, Senior Economic Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana; Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe; Secretary to the Ministry of Trade A. Vimalaneththiraja; Chairman of the Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe; Senior Director General (Bilateral) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dharshana M. Perera, Chief Economic Policy Advisor at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Shiran Fernando; Group CEO of Brandix Ashroff Omar; Co-Founder of MAS Holdings Sharad Amalean; Chairman of the Heyleys Group Mohan Pandithage and Ananda Caldera.

Also in attendance were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma.

[PMD]

A specialized medical and disaster relief team, consisting of 26 members from the Sri Lanka tri-services led by Brigadier Punya Karunathilake, has departed for Myanmar on a special flight on Saturday (April 5), to assist those affected by the recent earthquake.

The disaster relief operation is being conducted under the supervision of Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), following directives from President Anura Kumara Disanayake. It is noteworthy that the tri-service Commanders promptly mobilized the special relief teams within a very short time frame.

Myanmar, a Buddhist nation that has significantly contributed to the re-establishment of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka, is receiving not only disaster and humanitarian aid from Sri Lanka, but also essential supplies The supplies were donated and collected by the people of Sri Lanka nationwide, under the guidance of the Venerable Maha Sangha, led by the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist chapters, and are being sent to the Myanmar government.