Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the new Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena, of all “possible assistance and, above all, the goodwill and friendship of the people of India.”
Shortly after Mr. Sirisena was declared winner, Mr. Modi called him on the telephone and congratulated him. “As a close friend & neighbour, I reaffirmed India’s continued solidarity & support for Sri Lanka’s peace, development & prosperity,” Mr. Modi tweeted.
I spoke to Shri Maithripala Sirisena & congratulated him. I congratulate the people of Sri Lanka on the peaceful & democratic poll process.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >January 9, 2015As a close friend & neighbour, reaffirmed India's continued solidarity & support for Sri Lanka's peace, development & prosperity.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) >January 9, 2015India’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka Yash Sinha was the first diplomat to call on the President-elect in Colombo. He also attended his swearing-in on Friday evening. Many Sri Lanka watchers in India welcomed the dramatic results, saying the ouster of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would mean a greater role for India in the island.
