Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Anuradhapura in north-central Sri Lanka and launched two India-assisted railway projects on Sunday.
As a special gesture, the Sri Lankan government released 14 Indian fishermen, a day after Prime Minister Modi called for approaching the issue of fishermen in a “humane” manner during his talks with Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Accompanied by President Dissanayake, Modi visited the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple and paid his respects at the revered Buddhist shrine in Anuradhapura.
After that, the two leaders inaugurated the 128-km Maho-Omanthai railway line refurbished with Indian assistance of $91.27 million, followed by the launch of the construction of an advanced signalling system from Maho to Anuradhapura. The signalling system has been built with Indian grant assistance of $14.89 million.
“These landmark railway modernisation projects implemented under the India-Sri Lanka development partnership represent a significant milestone in strengthening north-south rail connectivity in Sri Lanka,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
“They would facilitate fast and efficient movement of both passenger and freight traffic across the country,” it said.
Before leaving for India, Modi said his visit to Sri Lanka has reaffirmed the deep cultural, spiritual and civilisational ties between the two nations.
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“Deeply grateful to President Dissanayake, the people and the Government of Sri Lanka for the warmth extended during my visit,” the Prime Minister said in a social media post.
“Be it in Colombo or Anuradhapura, this visit has reaffirmed the deep cultural, spiritual and civilisational ties between our two nations. It will surely add momentum to our bilateral relations,” he said.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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