President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday honoured PM Narendra Modi with the Mitra Vibhushana award.
“This honour, which was introduced in 2008, is conferred upon heads of states and govt for their friendship, and PM Modi highly deserves this honour; that is what we firmly believe,” Dissanayake said.
Earlier in the day, Modi was accorded a historic welcome at Colombo’s Independence Square – the first time that Sri Lanka has honoured a visiting leader in this manner. Modi, who is on a state visit from April 4 to 6, was received at the airport by six senior ministers.
Later, Modi interacted with a few members of the 1996 World Cup-winning Sri Lankan cricket team: Marvan Atapattu, Aravinda de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumara Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, and Romesh Kaluwitharana. Atapattu said, “It was truly a dream come true.” Dharmasena said, “As the leader of a giant neighbour, Sri Lanka has benefitted from his support. It was fantastic to meet him.”
