Modi pays homage to victims of Easter bombings, says Sri Lanka will “rise again”

Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to the departed souls at one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday Attack and said Sri Lanka will certainly “rise again”.

“Started the Sri Lanka visit by paying my respect at one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday Attack, St Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade. My heart goes out to the families of the victims and the injured,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

Started the Sri Lanka visit by paying my respect at one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday Attack, St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade.

My heart goes out to the families of the victims and the injured. pic.twitter.com/RTdmNGcDyg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2019

He also posted on the micro blogging site - “I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again. Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka”.

Mr Modi also said - “India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka”.

I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again.

Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka.

India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka pic.twitter.com/n8PA8pQnoJ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2019

Prime Minister Modi is the first international leader to visit Sri Lanka after it was hit with an unprecedented terror strike and the Easter bombings that killed over 250 people, including 11 Indians.

Earlier in a tweet on his arrival here, the Prime Minister said India “never forgets” her friends when they are in need.

“Happy to be back in Sri Lanka, my third visit to this beautiful island in four years. Share the warmth shown by the people of Sri Lanka in equal measure. India never forgets her friends when they are in need,” he tweeted.

He also wrote: “Deeply touched by the ceremonial welcome”.  Mr Modi was received by his Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Happy to be back in Sri Lanka, my third visit to this beautiful island in four years. Share the warmth shown by the people of SL in equal measure. India never forgets her friends when they are in need. Deeply touched by the ceremonial welcome. @RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/wjZjKPno01

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2019

Mr Modi arrived here on the second leg of his first overseas visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka trying to demonstrate the importance the Modi government attaches to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

During his stay here, Mr Modi will hold talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and  Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sources said a delegation of the main Tamil party in the island nation - Tamil National Alliance - will also call on the Prime Minister. (UNI)