New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday was conferred with Sri Lanka’s highest civilian award – the Mithra Vibhushana – during his three-day visit to the island nation. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake gave the prestigious award to PM Modi in honour of his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote the shared cultural and spiritual heritage of the two nations.
“I am pleased to announce that the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to confer upon him (PM Narendra Modi) the highest Sri Lanka honour- Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana. Prime Minister Modi highly deserves this honour; that is what we firmly believe,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.
Receiving the award, PM Modi said that it is a “matter of pride” for him.
“Today, to be honoured with the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan award by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake – it’s not an honour to me but to 140 crore Indians. It shows the historical relation and deep friendship between the people of Sri Lanka and India, and for this, I thank the president, the government of Sri Lanka, and the people here,” he added.
#WATCH | Colombo | Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Mithra Vibhushana award from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
(Source – ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/9xvngn9q00
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2025
This award marks the 22nd international recognition bestowed on PM Modi by a foreign country.
The ‘Mithra Vibhushana’ medal is specially instituted to recognise extraordinary global friendships and reflect the depth and warmth of India-Sri Lanka relations. The ‘Dharma Chakra’ on it represents the shared Buddhist heritage that has shaped the cultural traditions of both nations.
The ‘Pun Kalasa’ – a ceremonial pot at the center of the medal is adorned with sheaves of rice, signifying prosperity and renewal. This is surrounded by ‘Navrathna’ – nine precious gems – symbolising the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka. The gems are depicted within a globe encircled by lotus petals.
The Sun and Moon at the top of the medal represent the timeless nature of the relationship, stretching from ancient history into the infinite future.
Together, these elements capture the deep cultural and spiritual connection between the two nations.
The highest civilian award of the island nation was introduced in 2008 by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Only three other leaders, apart from PM Modi, have been conferred with the award – Former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
PM Modi in Sri Lanka
PM Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday where he received a grand ceremonial welcome at the historic Independence Square in the heart of the Sri Lankan capital. This was perhaps the first such honour given to a foreign leader.
Shortly after his arrival, PM Modi and the Sri Lankan President held bilateral talks.
On Saturday, India and Sri Lanka signed several key pacts, including a major defence cooperation pact for the first time and one to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub. Another agreement was signed to provide India’s multi-sectoral grant assistance to the eastern region of Sri Lanka.
The two leaders also virtually inaugurated several key bilateral projects, including the Sampur Solar Power Project and a Temperature-Controlled Agriculture Warehouse in Dambulla.
