Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Accorded Ceremonial Welcome in India

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday, marking the second day of his state visit to India. This visit, which runs from December 15 to 17, is Dissanayake’s first bilateral trip to India since assuming office in September.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed President Dissanayake at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Sri Lankan leader inspected a Guard of Honour presented by the combined defence services and participated in an official introduction ceremony, where the two heads of state introduced their respective ministers, diplomats, and senior officials.

The visit underscores efforts to deepen India-Sri Lanka ties. During his engagements, President Dissanayake held discussions with several key Indian leaders, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

In a post on X, the Sri Lankan President expressed optimism about the outcomes of these discussions, stating:
“Our conversations focused on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation, enhancing investment opportunities, fostering regional security, and advancing key sectors such as tourism and energy. These engagements reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations.”

During his meeting with President Dissanayake, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar emphasized Sri Lanka’s vital role in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) framework. Jaishankar conveyed confidence that the Sri Lankan leader’s talks with Prime Minister Modi would yield significant progress in bilateral cooperation.

The ceremonial reception and ongoing high-level meetings reflect the importance both nations place on their strategic partnership. Areas of collaboration discussed during the visit include economic development, regional security, tourism, and energy.

The visit is expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo, reaffirming the historically strong ties between the two neighbors.