Live: PM Announces 10k Homes for Indian-Origin Tamilians in Lanka
PM Modi is scheduled to address the Indian origin Tamil community at Norwood Grounds in Sri Lanka.
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- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a direct Air India flight from Colombo to Varanasi
- PM Modi also announced plans to build 10,000 additional homes in Sri Lanka for Indian-origin Tamilians
- This is the first time that Sri Lanka commemorated International Vesak Day
- The PM inaugurated an India-funded 150-bed multi-speciality hospital at Dickoya
- This is PM Modi’s second visit to Sri Lanka in two years
I Have a Special Association With Tea: PM to Lankan Tea Workers
"I have a special association with tea" was how Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an instant connect with the Tamil community members here in the tea-growing Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Modi, in his address, lauded Ceylon Tea, saying it was world famous but what was lesser known was the sweat and labour that goes into it.
PM Modi Addresses Indian-Origin Tamil Community, Hails MGR, Muralitharan
PM Modi on Friday hailed the contributions of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka and India, saying the community "gifted" the world ace cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan and national icon 'Puratchi Thalaivar' MGR.
Addressing the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka, the PM said, “If Sri Lanka today is third largest exporter of tea, it's because of your handiwork.”
“We remember your forefathers. Men and women of strong will and courage, who made the journey of their life from India to then Ceylon,” he added.
He said that he was aware of the government of Sri Lanka taking active steps to improve the living conditions of Indian-origin Tamilians, including a 5-year National Plan of Action.
As per the plan, Sri Lanka government is making 4,000 houses for the Indian-origin Tamil community. PM Modi announced an additional 10,000 houses.
By taking the names of Muralitharan and MGR, Modi tried to bridge the physical gap that divide the Tamil population in Sri Lanka and India.
MGR, who was born in Sri Lanka's Kandy, was an Indian actor and politician who served as chief minister of Tamil Nadu for 10 years between 1977 and 1987. Regarded as a cultural icon and one of the most influential actors, MGR has unparalleled admiration among the Tamil community.
And Muralitharan, a former Sri Lankan cricketer who is rated among the greatest Test match bowlers of all time, was also born to a Tamil family in Kandy.
He is the highest wicket-taker in Test Cricket and ODI Cricket. In 2005, he married a native of Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates Dickoya Hospital
The PM inaugurated an India-funded 150-bed multi-speciality hospital at Dickoya in the central hill district, which is home to Tamil tea plantation workers of Indian origin. India will be giving an aid of $2.6 billion for the hospital.
Buddhism and Its Various Strands Are Deep Seated in Indian Culture: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the people on the ocassion of International Vesak day and started with thanking the people of Sri Lanka for inviting him.
He said Buddhism and its various strands are deep seated in Indian culture, politics and philosophy. He said that from August this year, Air India will operate direct flights between Colombo and Varanasi. He invited people from Sri Lanka to come visit the land of Kashi in Varanasi.
He spoke about world peace by invoking Budha’s teachings and said, “ The biggest challenge to Sustainable World Peace today is not necessarily from conflict between the nation states. It is from the mindsets, thought streams, entities and instruments rooted in the idea of hate and violence.”
“You will find in India a friend and partner that will support your nation-building endeavours,” PM Modi said.
Meeting Political Leaders
The PM will address the Indian origin Tamil community at Norwood Grounds.
He will then meet representatives of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (TBC). Thereafter, the PM Modi will also hold a meeting with representatives of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TBC).
The Prime Minister will then arrive at the President's Palace for a lunch hosted by the Sri Lankan President.
Just before returning to India, the Prime Minister will meet Sri Lankan Leader of Opposition at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.
Innauguration of India-Funded Multi-Speciality Hospital
The PM will also inaugurate an India-funded 150-bed multi-speciality hospital at Dickoya in the central hill district, which is home to Tamil tea plantation workers of Indian origin. India will be giving an aid of $2.6 billion for the hospital.
He will also pray at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic at Kandy in central Sri Lanka. The golden-roofed Kandy Temple houses Sri Lanka's most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of Lord Buddha.
In Pallekele, Modi will unveil a plaque commemorating the foundation laying of the Faculty of Kandyan Dance at the Sri Lankan International Buddhist Academy that will be constructed with India's grant assistance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, will be attending the International Vesak Day celebrations on Friday. He is supposed to interact with leading Buddhist spiritual leaders, scholars and theologians, along with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The PM’s visit is aimed at reinforcing the traditional connect between India and Sri Lanka at a time when China is seeking to make inroads in the island nation, said PTI.
This is the first time that Sri Lanka will be hosting the International Vesak Day on Friday.
He will also deliver a celebratory address at the Bandarnaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BIMCH), where the occasion is supposed to take place.
Sri Lanka Says No to Chinese Submarine Docking
Sri Lanka has rejected China’s request for its submarine to dock at Colombo next week after a similar visit in 2014 triggered strong protest from India, a senior defence official said on Thursday.
“They asked for permission for 14 and 15 May to dock in the submarine. We refused,” a top defence official said on the condition of anonymity.
The move came as PM Modi arrived in Colombo to be the chief guest at International Vesak Day celebrations on Friday.
The docking of two Chinese submarines at the Colombo harbour in 2014 had angered India, which said it undermined its security interests.
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