News
India’s role on world stage a tribute to Nehru: President
Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe praised India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the country celebrated 75 years of Independence. Speaking at the handover ceremony of a Dornier aircraft from India yesterday, Wickremesinghe said “India’s global dominance is a tribute to Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru” and he was the one who showed the way forward.
“India today is becoming a world power and it is still on the rise and by mid-Century, when we are no longer there, we could see a powerful India playing a dominant role on the global stage. That in itself is a tribute to Pandit Nehru”, he said.
Referring to India’s Independence Day anniversary, Wickremesinghe said he was inspired by Nehru’s famous “tryst with destiny” speech as India gained freedom in 1947.
In this context, he also recalled an anecdote about the time Nehru helped Sri Lanka become part of the United Nations.
“I remember and I was told how his (Nehru’s) representative V.K Krishna Menon extended all the support to my father to go around in New York arranging for Sri Lanka’s entry into the United Nations. My father knew him (Nehru) well. I only saw him at a distance as a student, watching his car pass by on the way to India House”, he said.
India and Sri Lanka – which is also marking 75 years of Independence — are “two sides of the same coin” and both countries must work together to strengthen their relationship, the Lankan President said.
Thanking India for handing over of the maritime surveillance aircraft, Wickremesinghe said India is looking after its own interests. But “India must also look at its role as a global power”, he added.
Emphasising the importance of ties between the two nations, Wickremesinghe advised rising politicians of Sri Lanka to get to know their Indian colleagues.
“My advice to rising politicians in Sri Lanka, those who aspire for higher office, is — get to know your Indian colleagues. Get to know them well and get to deal with them because if you don’t do that, it will be difficult for you to look at issues and understand what the other says.” – NDTV
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
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