PM Narendra Modi to be first Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka post Easter bombings
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the first PM to visit Sri Lanka on June 9 to meet President Maithripala Sirisena after the Easter serial bombings on April 21, 2019.
As per known schedule, PM Narendra Modi will be attending a luncheon hosted by the Sri Lankan President followed by a brief meeting to hold bilateral talks with Sirisena and maximize any assistance the country needs after the terror attack.
Sirisena told the news agency ANI, “His (Narendra Modi’s) visit after the 21st April bombings sends a message internationally. Domestically when we look at it, it gives a message that here is the head of a government who is visiting to show solidarity.”
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Austin Fernando: PM Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka will send a message that it is a safe place to travel to. We would like the Indian government to lift the travel advisory for Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/lgA4wyTzPl
— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2019
On June 9, during a meeting, it is expected that Sirisena will be pushing the Indian authorities to lift travel ban to Sri Lanka, tagging it as “safe to visit”.
The Sri Lankan police have made elaborate security arrangements for Narendra Modi’s visit including restriction in traffic movement during the day.
Over 250 people were killed in the Easter Day bombings; the attacks were claimed by Islamic State.
