(Commonwealth_India) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made an important announcement on Friday, revealing that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka on April 5. The local news portal Adaderana reported that Dissanayake shared the announcement during his statement in Parliament.
In his address, President Dissanayake highlighted that the visit would serve as an opportunity to finalize several key agreements discussed during his visit to India in December 2024. The agreements, he explained, will further solidify the growing ties between the two countries. One of the major projects expected to take center stage during Modi’s visit is the construction of the Sampur power plant in Trincomalee. This initiative is set to begin soon, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.
The development of renewable energy infrastructure is another significant aspect of the collaboration between the two nations. Sri Lankan Health Minister Nalinda Jayathissa revealed that last month, both governments reached a critical agreement to establish solar power plants on the island. The agreement outlines the creation of two phases of solar power capacity in Sampur, Trincomalee. The first stage will involve the installation of a 50-megawatt solar plant, while the second stage will see the development of a 70-megawatt solar facility. These plants will be a joint venture between Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).
This agreement marks a shift in the energy strategy for the Sampur region. Initially, the NTPC had been tasked with building a coal-fired power plant at the site. However, with the new joint venture, the project will now focus on clean, renewable energy, converting the site into a solar power station. This transformation is considered a positive step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to diversify its energy sources and promote sustainability.
In the context of broader diplomatic relations, President Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi in December 2024 played a significant role in strengthening the ties between the two nations. During this visit, Dissanayake met with Prime Minister Modi, and their discussions were centered on fostering closer collaboration between Sri Lanka and India, particularly in response to the increasing influence of China in the region. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the importance of enhancing bilateral relations, with a focus on economic and strategic cooperation.
A key component of the discussions was the establishment of electricity grid connectivity between the two countries. This would improve energy security and pave the way for increased investment and commercial exchange. Additionally, the leaders discussed the possibility of a multi-product petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka, which would further strengthen the economic ties between the neighboring nations.
Throughout his visit, President Dissanayake also met with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. In these meetings, Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to ensuring that the country will not engage in any activities that could undermine India’s national interests. His statements were considered a reaffirmation of Sri Lanka’s strategic position in the region, as well as its desire to maintain strong, peaceful, and mutually beneficial relations with its larger neighbor to the north.
As Prime Minister Modi visits Sri Lanka, the anticipation is high regarding the positive developments that may come out of these key agreements and diplomatic discussions. The growing cooperation in energy, particularly through renewable sources like solar power, reflects the deepening ties between the two countries, and the visit promises to be a significant step in further enhancing the Sri Lanka-India relationship.
