India-Sri Lanka Infrastructure Projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake jointly inaugurated a railway line and initiated the construction of an advanced railway signaling system in Anuradhapura, central Sri Lanka. These projects are part of India's efforts to enhance regional infrastructure.
Key Projects
- The 128-km Maho-Omanthai railway line was refurbished with an Indian assistance of $91.27 million.
- The Maho-Anuradhapura signaling system is being developed with $14.89 million in Indian assistance.
These projects under the India-Sri Lanka development partnership aim to strengthen north-south rail connectivity and facilitate the efficient movement of passenger and freight traffic across Sri Lanka.
Cultural and Religious Visits
During his visit, Modi and Dissanayake visited the Jaya Sri Mahabodhi temple in Anuradhapura, offering prayers at the sacred Mahabodhi tree, a descendant of the Bo sapling brought by Sangamitta Maha Theri from India in the 3rd Century BCE. Anuradhapura is a world heritage site and one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Asia.
PM's Reflections
Prime Minister Modi described the visit as a humbling moment, emphasizing the site's significance as a symbol of peace, enlightenment, and spiritual continuity, inspired by Buddhism.
Return to India and Other Engagements
On his return to India, Modi had a ‘darshan’ of the Ram Setu on Ram Navami and shared this experience as a divine coincidence. He emphasized the unifying force of Prabhu Shri Ram for everyone.
In Tamil Nadu, Modi prayed at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge, and launched the new Rameswaram-Tambaram (Chennai) train service to mark Ram Navami.
