In a significant gesture of friendship between India and Sri Lanka, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and Sri Lankan Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, inaugurated the ‘Sri Lanka – India Friendship Arch’ at the National Sandalwood Garden on Thursday. The event is part of a broader initiative to strengthen ties between the two nations and is associated with the ‘Plant4Mother’ campaign, which was launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The ‘Sri Lanka – India Friendship Arch’ stands as a symbol of the deep and enduring relationship between India and Sri Lanka. The inauguration was attended by prominent figures, including Sri Lanka’s Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, and members of the Sri Lanka-India Parliamentary Friendship Association.
The event featured the planting of Murutha saplings by officials and MPs, including M.A. Sumanthiran, V. Radhakrishnan, and Jagath Kumara Sumithraarachchi. The act of planting trees highlights the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka to a greener and more sustainable future.
The Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka marked the occasion with a post on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the importance of the event. “A testament to the long-standing India-Sri Lanka friendship! As part of the #Plant4Mother campaign launched by PM @narendramodi, Hon. Speaker @YapaMahinda & HC @santjha jointly inaugurated the ‘Sri Lanka – India Friendship Arch’ at the National Sandalwood Garden, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte,” the embassy said.
The ‘Plant4Mother’ campaign is part of a larger initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at promoting environmental conservation and sustainability. On World Environment Day, June 5, 2024, PM Modi introduced the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (One Tree in the Name of Mother) campaign, urging people across India to plant 140 crore (1.4 billion) trees.
As part of this campaign, PM Modi himself planted a Peepal tree sapling at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, reinforcing the importance of tree planting in combating climate change and preserving the environment.
Indian Envoy’s Meeting with Former Sri Lankan President
In a related development, the Indian High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, met with the former President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, to discuss political developments in the country. The meeting was seen as an opportunity to exchange views on the current political landscape in Sri Lanka and to further enhance bilateral relations. The Indian mission in Sri Lanka shared the news of the meeting, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between the two nations.
These events underscore the continued efforts by India and Sri Lanka to maintain and strengthen their historical and cultural ties, while also addressing contemporary issues such as environmental conservation and political cooperation. The inauguration of the ‘Sri Lanka – India Friendship Arch’ is a testament to the enduring bond between the two neighboring countries.
Comments