PM Modi Talks Terror Fight With Lankan Prez

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday for the second time within 10 days and the two leaders agreed that terrorism was a “joint threat” that needed collective and focused action, news agency PTI reported from Colombo.

Modi is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the deadly Easter terror attacks in April. His visit is considered as a sign of India’s affirmation of solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the attacks.

“Met President @MaithripalaS, our second meeting in 10 days. President Sirisena and I agreed that terrorism is a joint threat that needs collective and focussed action. Reiterated India’s commitment to partner with Sri Lanka for a shared, secure and prosperous future,” Modi tweeted after his talks with Sirisena.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the two leaders discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. A banquet was hosted in honour of the Indian Prime Minister by the Sri Lankan President.

Modi also received a special gift, a replica of the Samadhi Buddha Statue, from “special friend” Sirisena.

Earlier, Modi’s entourage made a detour to St Anthony’s church – one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday attacks –on its way to the Presidential Secretariat, where a red carpet welcome awaited.

Modi paid tributes to the victims of the deadly terror strikes at the church and said the “cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka”.