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Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is on a three -day tour of Sri Lanka on 4 April. On the second day of the yatra, he will meet Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Disanayake and Prime Minister Harini Aimasuriya.
According to media reports, Modi can raise the demand to give more rights to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka in this meeting. Apart from this, both will discuss defense and economic matters. Also, will finalize the bilateral agreement signed last year.
During this time, there may be talk on the issue related to fishermen and Tamil citizens living in Sri Lanka. This is PM Modi’s third visit to Sri Lanka. Prior to this, he visited Sri Lanka in 2015 and 2019.
In December 2024, Sri Lankan President Anua Kumar DisaniK visited India. Then he met PM Modi.
India can give relief to Sri Lanka in repaying loan
India has given Sri Lanka about 5 billion US dollars Lines of Credit and Grant assistance by December 2024. Sri Lanka, who takes debt in loan restructure, may demand changes in debt terms with India- such as reducing interest rates, increasing the loan repayment period, or in some cases a part of the loan to waive.
According to media reports, the two leaders will also start many such projects in electricity, railways and other areas which are running in Sri Lanka with the cooperation of India. PM Modi can meet many other leaders of the country.
It is expected that Modi and Disanayak will also visit the historic city of Anuradhapura and will visit the Mahabodhi temple located there. The Mahabodhi tree here is considered part of the Bodhi tree under which Mahatma Buddha attained knowledge. Claims are made to be more than 2,300 years old of this tree.
Prime Minister Modi offered prayers near Shri Mahabodhi tree 2015.
PM Modi can talk on the issue of Indian fishermen
The issue related to fishermen between India and Sri Lanka is a sensitive and long -running dispute, mainly related to traditional fishing rights and maritime border violations.
Fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka hold fish in the Pakistani Strait and Mannar’s Gulf. This area is full of marine biodiversity, but the maritime boundaries of India and Sri Lanka are determined, and violating them is considered an international crime. Often Tamil Nadu fishermen enter the Sri Lankan water area for fishing.
The main reasons for the dispute …
1. Traditionally claims of fishing: Fishermen of India say that they have been fishing in these water areas for centuries, and this is their traditional right.
2. Kachchathivu Island: There was an agreement between India and Sri Lanka in 1974 in which the Kachchathivu island was given to Sri Lanka, and the two countries were set to marine borders. But fishermen still question him.
3. Use of traler: Indian fishermen use motor -powered trollers. Sri Lankan fishermen oppose this as it affects their livelihood.
4. Sri Lankan Navy action: When Indian fishermen enter the Sri Lankan water border, they are arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy. Their boats are confiscated, and sometimes there are incidents of violence.
Modi can demand to increase the rights of Tamil community in Sri Lanka
On 29 July 1987, there was an agreement between the governments of India and Sri Lanka. In this, Sri Lanka promised that it would give all the rights to the Tamils of the country under the 13th amendment of the Constitution. It was said in the agreement that the State Council would be formed under the 13th amendment and Tamils will also be given a place on the basis of number.
However, this agreement has not been implemented yet. Because of this, Tamil has not been able to become a part of Sri Lanka’s power and system. Due to this, there is resentment among the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. About three years ago, the leaders of seven Tamil parties of Sri Lanka wrote a letter to PM Modi and said that the Government of India raised their issue before the Sri Lanka government.
India-Sri Lanka working together on Saumpura Solar Energy Project
Saumpura Solar Energy Project is being developed in Sri Lankan’s Tinkomali district with cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Indian company NTPC and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) are working together on this project.
Saumpura is located in the Tinkomali district of Sri Lanka, which was included in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE. Till 2006, Saumpura was under LTTE control. When the Sri Lankan army took back the military action, many Tamil families were displaced, and the dispute began as to how to use that land.
Earlier India and Sri Lanka had planned to set up coal -based power projects here, but Tamil organizations and locals opposed it. He said that it would harm the environment. He also said that this land belongs to the displaced Tamil families and should be settled here.