• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met with the leaders of the Indian-origin Tamil community (IOT) in Sri Lanka during his two-day visit to the island nation. During his meeting, he offered financial support for the construction of 10,000 houses for the community. He also offered healthcare facilities and other projects for the betterment of the community.

Sharing details about the meeting, PM Modi shared a post on X, terming the IOT community as 'living bridge' between both the nations for over two centuries. He said, "India will support construction of 10,000 houses, healthcare facilities, the sacred site Seetha Eliya temple and other community development projects for IOTs in cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka."

Expressing joy after the meeting, PM Modi shared the picture on X and wrote, "Meeting with the leaders of Sri Lanka's Tamil community is always a matter of joy. I personally expressed my sorrow over the passing of two respected Tamil leaders I knew, R. Sambanthan and Mavai Senathirajah."

"I emphasized an unwavering commitment to a life of equality, dignity, and justice for the Tamil community within a united Sri Lanka," he added.

Notably, both Mavai Senathirajah and Rajavarothiam Sampanthan were Sri Lankan politician. While Senathirajah was a Member of Parliament and the leader of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) from 2014 to 2024, Sampanthan was a lawyer who led the Tamil National Alliance from 2001 until his death in 2024.

ALSO READ: India Inks FIRST Defence Pact With Sri Lanka After PM Modi Receives 'Unprecedented' Ceremonial Welcome | WATCH

During his visit, India and Sri Lanka inked 10 key agreements, including landmark defence cooperation, on Saturday. The MoU signed set a framework to formalise joint military exercises, training programmes, and high-level exchanges.

Among other pacts, both sides also signed an MoU for the interconnection of electricity grids for power trade, a tripartite MoU involving two nations and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to focus on the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub. The Trincomalee project will include the construction of a multi-product energy pipeline.

While reaffirming commitments underscoring India's security concerns, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka would never allow its land to be used against Indian interests.

(With inputs from ANI)

ALSO READ: PM Modi Honored With Sri Lanka's Highest Civilian Award During Colombo Visit | Pics