India, Lanka ink first defence pact

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Duringa Joint Press Meet after Delegation Level Talks, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Modi honoured with Lanka’s top honour for foreign leader

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake concluded wide-ranging talks that produced seven agreements, including the first-ever defense cooperation pact between the two nations. Lankan President Dissanayake assured that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used in any way that threatens India’s security, underscoring a new level of strategic alignment through the Colombo Security Conclave.

During a ceremony at Independence Square, President Dissanayake conferred the “Mithra Vibhushana,” SriLanka’s highest honor for a foreign leader, on Modi, who described the award as a tribute to the historic friendship between the peoples of both countries. Modi’s three‑day visit, his fourth to Sri

Lanka, marks the first foreign trip hosted by Dissanayake since assuming office and highlights their shared commitment to security, development and reconciliation, with Modi urging Colombo to meet Tamil aspirations through full constitutional implementation and early provincial‑council elections.

India also converted more than $100million of Sri Lankan debt into grants, agreed to lower interest rates under a bilateral restructuring deal, and announced a support package worth roughly LKR2.4billion for social and economic projects in the island’s Eastern Province.

Economic accords include plans to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, inaugurate the India-financed Maho-Omanthai rail line, lay the foundation for a modern signaling system on the Maho-Anuradhapura section, and modernise Kankesanthurai Port.

In the energy and digital sectors, the leaders inaugurated the Sampur solar plant, launched a 5,000-unit solar rooftop scheme for religious sites, and confirmed Indian assistance for Sri Lanka’s unique digital-identity programme. Social initiatives will see India complete 10,000 houses for Indian-origin Tamils ​​and train 700 Sri L ankans — including MPs, judicial personnel, entrepreneurs, media professionals and young leaders — in specialized programs.

On the cultural front, Modi announced that Buddha relics discovered in Gujarat will be sent to Sri Lanka for Vesak2025 and pledged support for restoring Thirukoneswaram Temple, the Anuradhapura Mahabodhi complex and the Sita Eliya temple.