Narendra Modi’s visit put off due to Presidential Election

• Govt. fully focused on election
• Planned visits by leaders of the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates have also been put off due to the election
• Dr. Jaishankar had emphasized the importance of continuity of  projects despite any change of government in Sri Lanka 

The planned visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka is unlikely to take place anytime soon because of the declaration of the Presidential Election, the Daily Mirror learns.  

When Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar undertook his official trip to Sri Lanka on June 20, 2024, there was an indication about the Indian Prime Minister’s visit. Also, such a visit was reportedly discussed when President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the swearing in ceremony of the Indian leader before that.  

However, following the declaration of the Presidential Election last week, the visit now hangs in the balance.   

The Sri Lankan government has limited its engagements with foreign leaders because it is now focused on the Presidential Election to be concluded on September 21.  

Nominations for the election will be accepted till August 15, and both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa have now made deposits with the Election Commission to tender nominations as candidates.   

In recent years, bilateral ties with India witnessed fresh approaches with both the countries taking initiatives to implement connectivity projects – land connectivity, power grid connectivity and energy pipeline linking the two countries.  

During Dr. Jaishankar’s visit, he emphasized the importance of continuity of such projects despite any change of government in Sri Lanka after the Presidential Election.   

Asked about the planned visit, a top source of the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the government is not in a position to entertain any visit by a foreign leader at this hour.   

The planned visit by the leaders of the countries such as the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates have also been put off because of the elections.