NEW DELHI: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a countrywide emergency ambulance service for
Sri Lanka and said that India will also stand by its neighbor — in good times and bad.
Addressing the inaugural function via video conference from the national capital, PM Modi said that the event marks another major achievement in the partnership between India and Sri Lanka.
"During my visit last year, I had promised that India will work for expanding the pre-hospital Emergency Ambulance Service all over Sri Lanka. I am happy that we have fulfilled our promise in a timely manner," Modi said.
Highlighting the close ties between the two neighbors, Modi said, "It is not just a co-incidence that India has the privilege to be Sri Lanka’s partner in establishing this first responder service and in its expansion."
"In good times and bad, India has been, and will always be, the first responder for Sri Lanka."
The PM added that Sri Lanka is not just India's neighbor, but a very special and trusted partner in South Asia and Indian Ocean.
Modi said that the people of both the nations should maintain constant touch to become even closer friends. He went on to invite the people of Sri Lanka to experience the "New India" that is taking shape.
Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was present at the inaugural function in
Jaffna, thanked Prime Minister Modi and expressed his gratitude to India for the "generous gesture".
The service has been introduced in two provinces of Sri Lanka with assistance from India and is being expanded to the remaining seven provinces.
