Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday jointly inaugurated a state-of-the-art stadium, which was recently renovated with India’s help, in Jaffna today.
PM Modi participated in the event through video conferencing.
Some 8000 people have also joined the event at Duraiappah Stadium where a yoga demonstration is also being organised ahead of the International Yoga Day on June 21.
In 2014, the United Nations had declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day.
The stadium, named in honour of former mayor of Jaffna late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah, has been renovated by India at a cost of over Rs 145 million.
This is the first major event at the renovated stadium.
In his address, PM Modi said, “India will walk side by side with Sri Lanka as it charts its own path to progress.”
“India desires to see an economically prosperous Sri Lanka. A Sri Lanka where unity and integrity, peace, harmony security and equal opportunity and dignity prevails throughout the country among all its peoples,” Modi said.
Modi said the modern tools of communication have enabled 1.25 billion people of India and the friendly people of Sri Lanka to “join in this celebration”.
“After a wait of nearly 20 years your applause and cheers will once again rekindle the soul of Duraiappah stadium. Even while we are sitting thousands of kilometres away in Delhi, we can feel the pulse of vibrancy, an atmosphere of change in Jaffna,” Modi said.
The renovated stadium, with a seating capacity of 1,850, will provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sports and recreational activities and assist the overall development of the youth of the war-ravaged Northern Province.
He said, Sri Lanka was among the first supporters of the UN resolution on Yoga Day.
“Our relations are not limited to confines of our two governments but reside in our rich culture, art and language. India strongly believes that its economic growth must drive and bring benefit to its neighbours,” ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
“The Duraiappah stadium is not just brick and mortar but a symbol of economic development. An arena of prosperous and healthy future of Jaffna’s youth. It demonstrates your determination to shed the legacy of violance and pursue the path of economic progress,” the Prime Minister said.”
PM Modi said: “Last year I was in Jaffna, the warmth and affection I received from the people is still fresh in my mind.”
On his part, the Sri Lankan president thanked India for providing the financial assistance for renovating the stadium and said, “This is a historic occasion which will strengthen relations between India and Sri Lanka.”
While thanking India for its assistance, Sirisena said Sri Lanka was committed to strengthening bilateral relations, even though there may be wrong understandings and interpretations at times.
-Agencies
