Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial in Raj Ghat on Monday. He also signed the visitor’s book and planted an Ashoka Pendula plant at Gandhi Darshan.
In a post on X, he said, “Today (16), I paid my respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial. I laid a wreath, observed a moment of silence, signed the Visitor’s Book, and planted an Ashoka Pendula plant at Gandhi Darshan. A truly humbling experience.”
Today (16), I paid my respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial. I laid a wreath, observed a moment of silence, signed the Visitor’s Book, and planted an Ashoka Pendula plant at Gandhi Darshan. A truly humbling experience. pic.twitter.com/qzartSh6zY
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) December 16, 2024
Dissanayake mentioned having a “productive meeting” with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, where they discussed enhancing economic cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization. He also touched upon strengthening India-Sri Lanka ties with BJP President JP Nadda. In a post on X, he said, “Had a productive meeting with Jagdeep Dhankhar today (16), where we discussed enhancing economic cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization. Appreciate his congratulations on my electoral victory. Later, I also met with Indian Health Minister JP Nadda to further strengthen ties.”
Had a productive meeting with @VPIndia Jagdeep Dhankhar today (16), where we discussed enhancing economic cooperation, agriculture, and digitalization. Appreciate his congratulations on my electoral victory. Later, I also met with Indian Health Minister @JPNadda to further… pic.twitter.com/1tpNRA2PEY
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) December 16, 2024
The Vice President’s office issued a statement saying that the discussions between the two focused on the multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka. “Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar called on the Hon’ble President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, in New Delhi today. Discussions centred around further strengthening the thriving, multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka, built upon the firm foundations of kinship, history and culture,” the statement read.
Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar called on the Hon’ble President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka, in New Delhi today.
Discussions centred around further strengthening the thriving, multi-faceted partnership… pic.twitter.com/1R5NUSRC6k
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) December 16, 2024
Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda said he had an “insightful conversation” with Dissanayake. “Met and interacted with H.E. Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in New Delhi as part of the ‘Know BJP’ initiative. We had an insightful conversation where we discussed ways to enhance party-to-party relations and I also shared information about our party’s ideology, organizational structure, and contributions to the nation’s progress. Our interaction focused on advancing India-Sri Lanka relations. Looking forward to strengthening our relationship for the benefit of both nations,” Nadda said.
Met and interacted with H.E. Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, in New Delhi as part of the ‘Know BJP’ initiative.
We had an insightful conversation where we discussed ways to enhance party-to-party relations and I also… pic.twitter.com/w7UA1WiFGb
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) December 16, 2024
Notably, the Sri Lankan President is on a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India since assuming office in September. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.
