Modi to address Sri Lankan Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address National Assembly of Mauritius and Parliament of Sri Lanka during his forthcoming visit to the Indian Ocean region, which will also take him to Seychelles.

“I embark on my visit to Sri Lanka with joy & the confidence that the visit will make India-SL relations even stronger in the years to come,” the Prime Minister tweeted on Sunday.

Modi last month played host to Sri Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena, who made New Delhi his first foreign destination.

The new Sri Lankan President’s visit saw New Delhi and Colombo signing an agreement for cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Sirisena already indicated that he would reverse some of his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa’s policies, which India perceives would help China raise its influence in the Indian Ocean region. 

Modi also tweeted that he would address the Sri Lankan Parliament and visit the Maha Bodhi Society.

During his Lankan visit, the Prime Minister would spend time at Jaffna, capital of the Tamil majority northern province ravaged by four decades of conflict.

First PM to visit Jaffna
Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Jaffna, where he would review the reconstruction projects funded by India in the Northern Province.

He will be in Mauritius on Wednesday and Thursday.  “Am happy to be with the people of Mauritius as they celebrate their National Day on 12th,” he tweeted, adding that he would address the National Assembly of that country too.

The Prime Minister will also attend a programme to mark the commissioning of MCGS Barracuda, an offshore patrol vessel which India exported to Mauritius for use of that country’s National Coast Guard.

“Our ties with Seychelles are special. Am sure my visit will be a productive one & will benefit both our Nations,” he tweeted on his visit to Seychelles.