(April 6, 2025) Wrapped in the warmth of the diaspora and the respect of a neighbour, Modi’s Sri Lanka visit became a moving tribute to India’s growing regional bonds.
A lovely April morning in Colombo turned historic as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour—the Mithra Vibhushana by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The prestigious medal, adorned with nine Sri Lankan gems and sacred symbols, was presented in a solemn ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat.
“It is a matter of great pride for me to be awarded the Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana by President Dissanayake. This award does not only honour me but also honours 1.4 billion Indians. It is a tribute to the historic ties and deep friendship between the people of India and Sri Lanka,” said Modi, reflecting the emotional and strategic depth of the moment.
While the formal recognition came on April 5, it was the evening before that captured the emotional pulse of the Indian community in Sri Lanka. On April 4, as the golden light faded over the Indian Ocean, the majestic Taj Samudra hotel in Colombo lit up with energy, colour, and patriotic spirit. The ocean-facing venue became a stage not just for a diplomatic welcome of the PM, but also for his interaction with the eager Indian community in Sri Lanka.
A warm welcome by the Indian Ocean
The Prime Minister, accompanied by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, had just wrapped up a two-day trip to Thailand before arriving in Colombo. Despite a late arrival at 9:45 p.m., the excitement among the diaspora never waned.
I was among the crowd that evening, immersed in the moment. The air was electric with anticipation. When Jaishankar and Doval appeared first, walking with quiet authority through the grand lobby of Taj Samudra, a buzz of awe rippled through the audience. And then came Modi—smiling, composed, and greeted with a rousing welcome. All eyes and mobile phones were fixed on him. For the Indian community, it was a moment of deep personal pride to welcome PM Modi who visited Sri Lanka last in 2019.
A cultural salute: Sundar Kand and shared heritage
The evening saw a cultural presentation curated by Dr. Ankuran Dutta, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (formerly ICCR) in Colombo, as part of the welcome for the Prime Minister. A brief but meaningful gesture, it reflected the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka.
At the heart of this presentation was a symbolic puppet performance inspired by the Sundar Kand from the Ramayana, an episode that recounts Lord Hanuman’s courageous journey to Lanka in search of Sita.
The puppet show marked the first time the epic was presented through Rukada Natya—Sri Lanka’s own string puppetry art form, recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Dr. Ankuran Dutta shared with Global Indian. “This time, for the first time, they have taken a small episode from the Ramayana, specifically from the Sundar Kand, and adapted it for the show. The scene portrays Sita in Ashok Vatika and the compassionate maidservant Trijata,” he added.
The show was performed by Nalin Gamwari and his team from the Sri Anura Puppetry Society, all of whom hail from Ambalangoda, a town renowned as the cultural heart of this unique art form. “The lead puppeteer, who has been practicing and performing for over 50 years, brought decades of experience to the performance,” mentioned Dutta.
Beyond the puppet show, there were exhibits featuring translated works of Assamese saints Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and Sri Sri Madhabdev, books on Indian music, storytelling traditions, and verses from the Gita Govinda in Pali—touchpoints of India’s soft power that bridge generations and geography.
Despite his long day and travel from Thailand, Prime Minister Modi spent time engaging with the display, his interest clear. As he walked through the majestic lobby of the Taj Samudra, savouring the exhibits, all eyes were on him. People stood respectfully along the sides, cheering and applauding as he passed. The Prime Minister appeared fully present—sharing smiles, exchanging handshakes, and soaking in the warmth of the moment. it was a heartfelt interaction for both the leader and the diaspora.
Neighbour first, always
The next day in his press briefing in Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister emphasized that “India is proud to have fulfilled its duties as a true friendly neighbour,” adding “We have stood firmly with the people of Sri Lanka during every difficulty.”
Over the past year, India’s economic engagement with Sri Lanka has gained renewed momentum. India has supported several infrastructure and development projects of the island nation.
India’s assistance has extended beyond infrastructure. In a significant gesture of economic solidarity, over USD 100 million in loans were converted into grants, and a debt restructuring agreement was put in place to provide immediate relief. Interest rates on past credit have also been reduced to ease Sri Lanka’s financial burden.
Modi with DIssanayake
A major boost was given to the social sector as well, with support announced for the construction of 10,000 houses for the Indian-origin Tamil community, and vocational training opportunities for hundreds of Sri Lankan professionals including parliamentarians, media persons, judicial staff, and entrepreneurs.
The significance of Prime Minister Modi’s visit was also deeply felt among Indian business leaders in Sri Lanka. Kishore Reddy, President of the CEO Forum, expressed optimism about the visit’s impact: “After six years, we are thrilled to see the Prime Minister here. His leadership has created a powerful image of Indian growth, and that goodwill is already translating into investments that benefit Sri Lanka’s economy,” he remarked.
India – Friend of Sri Lanka
The awarding of the Mithra Vibhushana—literally meaning “Friend of Sri Lanka” is not just a ceremonial gesture for Modi. It reaffirmed India’s place as a dependable partner in the region. Modi noted that President Dissanayake chose India for his first foreign visit after taking office, few months back.
Modi’s words echoed the sentiment of Neighbourhood First, India’s foreign policy doctrine that gives priority to regional partners.
“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,” he affirmed.
For the diaspora, this visit was deeply validating. Many have lived in Sri Lanka for decades, some for generations and Modi’s presence offered a bridge between their ancestral roots and their present-day identity. Mr T.S. Prakash, former President of the CEO Forum who has been living in Sri Lanka for the last 30 years told Global Indian, “This is a historic visit. The Prime Minister has been honoured the highest civilian award which is a moment of pride for us, while signing of defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka is a landmark achievement.”
A visit to remember
As the waves of the Indian Ocean rolled beyond the glass walls of Taj Samudra, and the echoes of chants and applause faded into the night, what remained was a quiet sense of pride, shared by every Indian who welcomed the Prime Minister with Jaishankar and Doval. The sight of all three powerful faces of Brand India together made the evening unforgettable for everyone present. And as the Prime Minister stayed on in Colombo the next day, that sentiment only deepened, resonating through every engagement and every gesture.
From the symbolic Mithra Vibhushana honour to the reaffirmation of economic and strategic partnership, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka left a lasting imprint.
A visit to remember, indeed.
