Modi's visit: A momentous occasion for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is ready to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first state visit by a foreign leader after the phenomenal political change in Sri Lanka. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is from Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which was once notorious for bashing India, now helms the affairs of Sri Lanka as the President. His JVP-led movement, National People's Power (NPP), occupies more than two-thirds of Parliament.

- By KELUM BANDARA

The Indian leader's visit is more significant for both sides because of current global and regional circumstances.

India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour and the relationship between the two countries is more than 2,500 years old, and shares a similar civilizational and historical connection, according to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka.

In today's context in a multi-polar world, relations have evolved in fresh directions, and the two countries matter to each other more than ever. President Dissanayake, despite his party's anti-Indian stand way back, chose New Delhi as his first overseas visit as the Head of State.

Ahead of the presidential election in September last year, he led a party delegation to India and held talks with key Indian officials. That is all because India is an indispensable partner despite occasional irritations. India stands in the way of its bitter relations.

India is a neighbour, and its economy extending nearly US $ 4. 5 billion in financial assistance in terms of credit facilities to purchase much-needed fuel and essentials including medicines. Next, India played a crucial role in restructuring Sri Lanka's external debts.