Narendra Modi in Sri Lanka LIVE: In his first visit to Sri Lanka after the deadly Easter attacks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said terror could not break the country’s spirit. Modi, who paid tribute to the victims of the dastardly attacks that killed over 250 people, said: “I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again. Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.”
On arriving in Lanka from Maldives, the Prime Minister tweeted: “Happy to be back in Sri Lanka, my third visit to this beautiful island in four years. Share the warmth shown by the people of SL in equal measure. India never forgets her friends when they are in need. Deeply touched by the ceremonial welcome.” Modi will hold a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena and also call on leader of opposition.
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Jun 9, 2019 2:33 pm (IST)
"This replica of the Samadhi Buddha Statue has been hand carved using white teak. This masterpiece has taken almost two years to complete. The meditation pose is known as Dhyana Mudra," PM Modi tweeted.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed PM Modi and said, "Looking forward to holding discussions including increasing multi-lateral investment projects and collaboration in counter-terror actions."
Jun 9, 2019 1:45 pm (IST)
Expressing solidarity with Sri Lanka, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted pictures of the PM's meet and wrote India will stand by its neighbour 'come rain or shine'.
PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the President's Secretariat in Colombo.
Jun 9, 2019 1:37 pm (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome by the Lankan President on his arrival in Colombo. The two leaders are holding bilateral talks over various issues conncerning the neighbouring countries.
Jun 9, 2019 1:09 pm (IST)
India stands with its neighbour in its fight against terrorism, reassures Ministry of External Affairs.
First stop - St. Anthony's church
PM @narendramodi visits St Anthony's Church in #Colombo as a mark of respect for those killed in the Easter terrorist attacks. India is with Sri Lanka on the fight against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/Q4tipMUSfA
PM Modi plants a sapling at the President's Secretariat in Colombo.
Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi plants a sapling at Presidential Secretariat. Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena also present. pic.twitter.com/CA97JrK4ga
Modi Meets Sirisena | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the President's Secretariat, where he is greeted by the Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accorded ceremonial welcome. Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena also present pic.twitter.com/ly8GsSl3Yc
The Prime Minister pays homage to the victims of Easter bombings.
Jun 9, 2019 12:25 pm (IST)
Expressing his confidence in the island nation's spirit to rise again despite such setbacks, PM Modi said, "Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka." He also expressed solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.
Jun 9, 2019 12:22 pm (IST)
St Anthony's Church was among the three churches, which were torn apart by a series of suicide bomb attacks on Easter Sunday this year.
Jun 9, 2019 12:17 pm (IST)
WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tributes at the St Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade
Started the Sri Lanka visit by paying my respect at one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday Attack, St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade.
PM Modi Visits Church | Prime Minister Modi visits St Anthony's Church in Colombo, the site of terror attacks which claimed over 250 lives on April 21. He pays tribute to the victims of the bombings that shook Sri Lanka.
Jun 9, 2019 12:05 pm (IST)
Modi had held bilateral talks with Sirisena last month, when the Lankan leader visited India for the PM's swearing-in ceremony. Post talks, Sirisena had tweeted, "Our bilateral meeting was very successful and covered many areas including making South Asia stronger and more secure. Looking forward to welcome you in Sri Lanka soon."
Jun 9, 2019 11:55 am (IST)
Prime Minister Modi, who is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the Easter terrorist attacks, received a ceremonial welcome in the island nation.
Jun 9, 2019 11:50 am (IST)
Modi arrived in Colombo from Maldives where he held wide-ranging talks with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday.
Jun 9, 2019 11:41 am (IST)
'Deeply touched' by the welcome in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses his happiness on visiting the neighbouring country.
Happy to be back in Sri Lanka, my third visit to this beautiful island in four years. Share the warmth shown by the people of SL in equal measure. India never forgets her friends when they are in need. Deeply touched by the ceremonial welcome. @RW_UNPpic.twitter.com/wjZjKPno01
Modi's visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka demonstrates the priority that India attaches to the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.
Jun 9, 2019 11:32 am (IST)
PM Modi's Itinerary | During his day-long visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa. A delegation of the main Tamil party - The Tamil National Alliance - is also expected to meet Prime Minister Modi.
Jun 9, 2019 11:23 am (IST)
PM Modi Arrives in Sri Lanka | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Sri Lanka for a brief visit to the island nation. He was received by his Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe at the airport. The prime minister will meet Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena shortly.
Jun 9, 2019 11:20 am (IST)
Modi's visit to Sri Lanka follows the Lankan President's visit to India for the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister.
"Everybody who testified before the select committee are the officers whom I removed. We have sacked Sisira Mendis also," Sirisena said late on Friday evening.
Jun 9, 2019 11:05 am (IST)
Mendis said that when he brought up the warnings during a meeting on April 9, director of the State Intelligence Service Nilantha Jayawardena, the direct link to the president, told him Sirisena had already been briefed. On Friday Sirisena announced Mendis's removal in a move that could escalate political tensions over the parliamentary probe.
Jun 9, 2019 11:00 am (IST)
A Parliamentary select committee led by allies of Sirisena's rival Wickremesinghe is investigating possible lapses that allowed the Islamist militants to target hotels and churches. In his May 29 testimony to parliament, intelligence boss Sisira Mendis said security council meetings were irregular, making it difficult to properly protect the island nation.
Jun 9, 2019 10:51 am (IST)
Indian intelligence agents sent several warnings to Sri Lankan authorities that a plot was underway, but Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have both said they were not briefed about the warnings before the April 21 attacks, claimed by Islamic state, which killed over 250 people.
Jun 9, 2019 10:46 am (IST)
The prime minister is visiting the island nation while it struggles to tackle terrorism within the country. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has fired the country's chief of national intelligence after he suggested the leader knew about warnings that deadly Easter bombings were in the works.
Earlier, Modi and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih held extensive talks as the two countries signed six agreements to strengthen bilateral ties in a number of key areas, including defence and maritime. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the two leaders held warm discussions. Modi was also conferred the 'Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen', which is the Maldives' highest honour accorded to foreign dignitaries.
In a veiled attack on Pakistan, the Prime Minister said state sponsorship of terrorism is the biggest threat faced by humanity as he called upon world leaders to unite to combat the menace. "Terrorism is not just a threat for a country, but to the entire civilisation. It is very unfortunate that people are still making the mistake of distinguishing between good terrorists and bad terrorists. State sponsorship of terrorism is the biggest threat the world is facing today," he said in an indirect reference to Pakistan.
On his return from Sri Lanka, Modi will pray at Tirumala temple in Tirupati. He will be accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.
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