In a major gesture reflecting his role in developing India-Sri Lanka relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday conferred the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana — the highest civilian honor that the island nation awards to foreign Heads of State and Government.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake bestowed the prestigious award at a joint press conference held in Colombo, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Established to honor leaders of friendly nations who exemplify unwavering goodwill and support towards Sri Lanka, this award represents abiding appreciation for their long-term partnership.
"I am delighted to announce that the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to award PM Modi the highest Sri Lanka honour — Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana,"
said President Dissanayake.
"Prime Minister Modi well deserves this honour. This is what we strongly believe,"
he added.
Replying with gratitude, Prime Minister Modi added that the award was not only a personal achievement but a collective honor for all Indians.
"To be awarded the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan award by President Dissanayake is not only an honour to me but to 140 crore Indians… I thank the President, the government of Sri Lanka, and the people here,"
he said.
He also highlighted that the award is a testament to the time-honored relationship and strong friendship between India and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana medal, designed to commemorate outstanding international friendships, is imbued with profound cultural significance. The Dharma Chakra symbolizes the common Buddhist heritage, the Pun Kalasa—a ritual pot containing rice sheaves—symbolizes abundance and rebirth, and the Navarathna set in a globe encircled by lotuses symbolizes the strong and lasting relationship between the two nations.
With this honor, PM Modi has so far accrued 22 foreign honors bestowed by governments across the world, solidifying his growing reputation as a world leader famous for advocating regional harmony, progress, and spiritual diplomacy.
Addressing the event, President Dissanayake spoke of the strong bond between the two countries:
"India and Sri Lanka have more than physical proximity in common. We too share the same hopes as governments, and we value all these interactions immensely, which we view as being of historical importance."
He further said that the relationship between India and Sri Lanka is based on centuries of common history and values:
"We are neighbours who have long historical, religious and cultural connections dating back over many years and our tried and trusted relationship is one based on shared values, mutual respect and shared interests."
During the visit, the two leaders participated in the virtual launch of key bilateral projects like the Sampur Solar Power Project and a Temperature-Controlled Agriculture Warehouse in Dambulla. These are yet another step in the direction of joint development efforts.
A number of important Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were executed to increase cooperation in the critical areas of energy, digital transformation, and trilateral development. Important agreements were the proposal for a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link, the sharing of digital public infrastructure solutions, and a trilateral agreement between India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE to make Trincomalee a strategic energy hub.
India's assistance remains a key factor in Sri Lanka's recovery and development. Its economic assistance, reaching all of Sri Lanka's 25 districts, has totaled close to $7 billion, including $780 million in grants. In the past decade, India has completed over 40 development projects financed by close to $265 million in grants.
In addition, Indian companies have played a major role in Sri Lanka's economy, with investments amounting to more than $2 billion.
This award — the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana — is not merely a gesture of appreciation but also a strong reminder of the two countries' interdependent fates, spiritual understanding, and shared vision of development based on mutual respect and confidence.
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