Extending warm congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP-led NDA's "historic" feat of clinching three consecutive victories in the Lok Sabha elections, Sri Lanka's Opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa, reiterated his support for India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
In a special address to the Lankan Parliament, Premadasa underscored India's deserving stature as the world's most populous nation and a significant global economic and military force, asserting that it warrants acknowledgment in the UNSC. “This is of utmost importance as India has the largest population in the whole world. Also, when you examine the world’s economic, security power configuration, I feel that this representation of India in the UNSC must be achieved and must be promoted,” said Premadasa.
We as parliamentarians, all 225, in this august assembly would like to propose that India be made a permanent member of the UN Security Council. I think it is long overdue and it should be implemented as quickly as possible,” he urged, expressing confidence that the current permanent UNSC members would recognize India's rightful position in the global power dynamics. “I am pretty sure that the five members who are there right now would have no objection to establishing this world power reality in the UN structure,” he affirmed. Premadasa also acknowledged the robust bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and India, expressing gratitude for India's substantial financial assistance, including grants, loans, and other aid amounting to approximately six billion USD. “We have seen the brotherly neighbourhood relationship between the two countries as India is the largest single donor to Sri Lanka with around $6 billion in grants, loans and financial support," he noted.
Commending Narendra Modi's visionary leadership, pragmatic policies, and effective governance, Premadasa highlighted Modi as the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to secure a third term. “Prime Minister Modi has been a remarkable person who commenced his work from humble beginnings. He came from a small family and didn’t have a huge family background. He did not have a power base to commence work. But during his stint as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and later as the Indian PM, he has exhibited stupendous energy, charisma, hard work and the singular determination to make India number one in the world. This is at a time when most of the countries in the region are going through sluggish economic growth,” remarked Premadasa.
"In a region grappling with sluggish economic growth, India stands out as an exceptional nation, navigating itself out of the Covid-19 crisis," he added. Premadasa applauded Modi's achievements across various states and underscored India's resilience in overcoming adversity. “We see India as a unique country that also extricated itself from the Covid-19 catastrophe.
India has been a shining example of how you get out of desperate situations, despair and economic catastrophe and how you transform and translate a bad situation into a better one. I would like to congratulate honourable PM Modi on his remarkable achievement in almost all states. Of course, there have been states where he has done very well and there are certain states where the BJP-NDA is yet to make its imprint,” he stated.
Reiterating his pledge to foster cooperation between Sri Lanka and India for mutual prosperity, Premadasa affirmed, “We would like to continuously have a very close relationship with India, our great and brotherly neighbour. We would like to have a strong productive and constructive relationship with them."
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe also lauded PM Modi on NDA's victory and third-term re-election. “I extend my warmest felicitations to the BJP-led NDA on its victory, demonstrating the confidence of the Indian people in the progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. As the closest neighbour, Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening the partnership with India,” President Wickremesinghe expressed.
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