Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand and emotional welcome from the Indian diaspora as he arrived at his hotel in Colombo during his official two-day visit to Sri Lanka.
Waving Indian flags and cheering with excitement, members of the Indian community gathered in large numbers to greet PM Modi. The Prime Minister warmly interacted with them, shaking hands and sharing smiles. He was also treated to a traditional puppet show on arrival, adding a cultural touch to the welcome.
Despite the rain, six senior Sri Lankan ministers were present at the airport to welcome him. The dignitaries included:
- Vijitha Herath – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
- Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media
- Anil Jayantha – Minister of Labour
- Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Minister of Fisheries
- Saroja Savithri Paulraj – Minister of Women and Child Affairs
- Chrishantha Abeysena – Minister of Science and Technology
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi posted, “Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programmes in Sri Lanka.”
A Packed Visit Ahead
PM Modi’s Sri Lanka trip follows his visit to Thailand, where he attended the BIMSTEC Summit and met Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. In Colombo, he will meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and discuss the progress on the shared vision of “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.”
One of the key highlights of his itinerary includes a visit to Anuradhapura, where he will inaugurate development projects supported by Indian financial aid. This marks his first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019.
Yoga’s Growing Influence
Vyasa Kalyanasundaram, Head of the Yoga Department at Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo, praised PM Modi for elevating Yoga from a niche spiritual practice to a globally recognized therapy.
“The Prime Minister’s efforts brought international recognition to Yoga. Today, even hotels in Sri Lanka are incorporating Yoga and Ayurveda into their wellness offerings,” he said.
PM Modi’s visit not only highlights diplomatic and developmental collaborations but also reflects the deep cultural ties and mutual respect between India and Sri Lanka.