Colombo [Sri Lanka]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with leaders of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community on Saturday during his ongoing state visit to the island nation, reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to promoting equality, dignity, and justice for Tamils within a united Sri Lanka.
இந்தியாவை பூர்வீகமாக கொண்ட தமிழ் மக்களுடன் சுமூகமான சந்திப்பு இடம்பெற்றிருந்தது. இச்சமூகத்தினர் 200 ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலாக இரு நாடுகளுக்குமான ஒரு வாழும் உறவுப் பாலமாக திகழ்கின்றனர். இலங்கை அரசாங்கத்துடனான ஒத்துழைப்புடன் இந்தியாவை பூர்வீகமாக கொண்ட தமிழ் மக்களுக்காக 10000 வீடுகள்,… pic.twitter.com/F9FzmtWuho
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2025
In a heartfelt gesture, PM Modi also expressed condolences over the passing of two prominent Tamil leaders—Rajavarothiam Sampanthan and Mavai Senathirajah—who were instrumental in advocating for Tamil rights in Sri Lanka.
“Meeting with the leaders of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community is always a matter of joy,” PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“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.”
Mavai Senathirajah served as a Member of Parliament and was the leader of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) from 2014 to 2024. R. Sampanthan, a lawyer and veteran Tamil politician, led the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from 2001 until his death in 2024.
PM Modi also highlighted India’s support for the social, economic, and cultural upliftment of the Tamil community, citing ongoing development projects and initiatives in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
Following the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X:
“PM @narendramodi met with the Tamil Leaders from Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. PM reaffirmed India’s continuous commitment to work for the well-being of the Sri Lankan Tamil community.”
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also held talks with Sri Lanka’s Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, appreciating his efforts to strengthen India-Sri Lanka ties.
“Glad to meet Sri Lanka’s Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Sajith Premadasa. Appreciated his personal contribution and commitment to strengthening India-Sri Lanka friendship,” PM Modi wrote on X.
“Our cooperation and robust development partnership are guided by the welfare of the people of our two countries.”
MEA’s Randhir Jaiswal added:
“PM @narendramodi met Leader of Opposition @sajithpremadasa in Colombo. Exchanged views on ways to further advance India – Sri Lanka cooperation. Our ever-expanding ties enjoy bipartisan support in both our countries.”
PM Modi is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka from April 4–6, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Disanayaka. This marks PM Modi’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019.
He was accorded a historic ceremonial welcome at Independence Square in Colombo, the first time Sri Lanka has honored a visiting leader with such an event.
Modi arrived in Colombo after attending the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, where he held bilateral talks with leaders including Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli, and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Despite rainy weather, PM Modi was warmly welcomed at the Colombo airport by six senior Sri Lankan ministers: Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Labour Minister Anil Jayantha, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena.