• By Yashashvi Tak
  • Sat, 05 Apr 2025 02:15 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three day visit to Sri Lanka, was awarded with the highest civilian honor of the nation called “Mithran Vibhushan” by President Anura Kumara Dissanayank on Saturday. 

The two leaders also engaged in delegation-level talks, after which they signed an ambitious defense cooperation pact for the first time ever. Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to the President, calling the honor a “great matter of pride.”

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“It is a matter of immense pride for me to be conferred the 'Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana' by President Dissanayake today. This honour is not mine alone - it is a tribute to the 1.4 billion people of India. It symbolises the deep-rooted friendship and historic ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for this honour.” PM Modi tweeted on X. 

“As Prime Minister, this is my fourth visit to Sri Lanka. My previous visit in 2019 came at a very sensitive time. Even then, I had faith that Sri Lanka would rise, and rise stronger. I truly admire the courage and resilience of the people here. Today, seeing Sri Lanka once again on the path of progress fills me with happiness. It is a matter of pride for India that we have fulfilled our duty as a true and responsible neighbour and friend,” he said while addressing a press meet. 

Mithran Vibhushan History 

The honor was established in 2008 and has previously been awarded to former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Prime Minister Modi received the award from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a ceremony at the presidential secretariat in Colombo.

The recipient of the honor is presented with a citation and a silver medal, designed to be worn around the neck. The medal is studded with nine types of Sri Lankan gems and features symbols of a lotus, globe, sun, moon, and sheaves of rice.

The Dharma Chakra on the medal symbolizes the shared Buddhist heritage that has influenced the cultural traditions of both nations. Meanwhile, the Pun Kalasa, or ceremonial pot, adorned with sheaves of rice, represents prosperity and renewal.

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Defense Cooperation Pact

In a joint statement after their delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake signed a defense cooperation pact. The two sides also agreed to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub and signed an agreement to facilitate New Delhi’s multi-sectoral grant assistance to Sri Lanka's eastern region.

In addition to formalizing other agreements, the two leaders virtually inaugurated the Sampur solar power project.