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Modi pays homage to sacred Mahabodhi tree in Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura, March 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid homage to sacred Mahabodhi tree in Sri Lanka's northern city of Anuradhapura. Modi dressed in white kurta arrived with his entourage to pay his respects to the fig tree which is surrounded by railing and placed on a mould. It is said to be the southern branch of the historical Mahabodhi tree in Bihar's Bodh Gaya, where Lord Budhha is believed to have attained enlightenment. Modi's trip to Sri Lanka is the first in 28 years by an Indian Prime Minister.

Protest against human rights violations in Pakistan at UN office in Switzerland

Geneva, Mar 14 (ANI): The World Sindhi Congress on Friday protested human rights violations, especially against Hindus in Pakistan, at the United Nations (UN) office in Switzerland's city of Geneva. They gathered outside the Palace De Nations, demanding the Pakistan government to stop human rights violations and support to banned religious outfits in Sindh province. They sought to stop disappearances and torture of youths. Their cause was supported by human rights activists from other regions of the country such as Kashmir and Balochistan. The protesters claimed Hindu population in the state had dwindled to eight percent, which was nearly 30 percent in 1947. A member of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Baseer Naveed, said Pakistan had become a killing field, leading to disappearances and extra-judicial killings that were seldom reported by media. The protest took place during the 28th Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Maldives' ex-president Nasheed sentenced to 13 years in prison

Male, Mar 15 (ANI): Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of terrorism for ordering the arrest of a judge when he was in power in 2012. The verdict is the latest chapter in three turbulent years in which Nasheed, the Indian Ocean archipelago's first democratically elected leader, was ousted in disputed circumstances, then narrowly defeated in a controversial election, and then, last month, cleared over the incident for which he has now been convicted. "The prosecution's evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Nasheed ordered the chief judge's arrest or forceful abduction and detention on Girifushi island," Judge Abdulla Didi said in the court in the capital, Male. Nasheed, however, remained defiant and through his office urged supporters to take to the streets and continue the protests they have been holding since his incarceration on February 22.

'Looking forward to a wonderful day', says PM Modi on way to Anuradhapura

Colombo, Mar 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is travelling to Anuradhapura, Talaimannar and Jaffna in Sri Lanka today, said he was looking forward to a wonderful day. "Leaving for Anuradhapura. Will also travel to Talaimannar and Jaffna today. Looking forward to a wonderful day," Narendra Modi tweeted. Prime Minister Modi will visit Sri Lanka's Tamil heartland Jaffna, a Buddhist temple in Anuradhapura and north-western town of Talaimannar today. He will be the first Indian Prime Minister and only the second foreign leader after British Premier David Cameron to visit Jaffna in the Northern province, where he will hand over homes built with the help of Indian assistance. Prime Minister Modi will also be laying the foundation stone for the iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre.

Slogan shouting Bangladeshis demand fast trial of war criminals

Dhaka, March 14 (ANI): Hundreds of protesters marched on the streets of capital Dhaka in Bangladesh and demanded speedy trial of war criminals, militants and the guilty behind US blogger Avijit Roy's killing. Members of the People's Resurgence Platform, or 'Ganojagoron Manch' held demonstration, shouted slogans and raised banners. They also demanded quick arrest and death penalty for the killers of the US blogger Avijit Roy. Bangladesh's anti-terrorism unit said it had arrested the main suspect in the case, Farabi Shafiur Rahman, in Dhaka. Rahman has been jailed in the past for his ties to the extremist Hizbut Tahrir Islamist group. The protesters also raised voice about the court's verdict against war criminal Kamaruzzaman who was given death penalty in the War Crime tribunal. Kamaruzzaman was found guilty by a tribunal court of five out of seven counts of torture and mass murder committed during the 1971 war of independence.

PM Modi meets Sri Lankan Tamil leaders

Colombo, March 14 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Lanka's main ethnic minority Tamil party leaders to discuss issues pertaining to the Tamil people. A leading Tamil group has reportedly urged the Prime Minister to put pressure on recently elected Sri Lanka President Maithiripala Sirisena to resolve the ethnic issue in the island nation. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders expressed satisfaction after meeting Prime Minister Modi. Another TNA leader MA Sumanthiran said that Modi encouraged them to have a different approach in the new regime of Sirisena.

PM Modi assures investor friendly India to Sri Lankan business leaders

Colombo, Mar 14 (ANI): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured support to Sri Lanka's economic development while addressing a meet of hundreds of businessmen at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Modi said this was one of the most important meets in Sri Lanka and the path of relationship between the two countries will be determined by its economic choice and quality of governance. Modi assured that India's big economic size would not hurt the island nation. He said India's progress gives them the ability to create opportunities for its neighbours, adding that India was prepared to work on trade growth imbalance. Modi said the South Asian region is rich in resources and comprises a large market and cooperation among members would benefit all. Modi also said that the two countries should explore opportunities in infrastructure, traditional handicrafts, modern manufacturing, tourism and other industries.

SL elections represented hope for reconciliation, unity: PM Modi (Part-1)

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the recent presidential elections in Sri Lanka, in which Maithripala Sirisena emerged as the winner, beating the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, reflected the voice of the people of the island nation, aspiring for reconciliation and unity. The Prime Minister further said that India has always placed importance on Sri Lanka. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi expressed his delight to be in Colombo and said that India is privileged to be Sri Lanka's development partner.

Modi pays homage at Indian peace keeping force memorial in Colombo

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) memorial in Colombo on his maiden visit to Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral ties. The IPKF memorial is located on the outskirts of capital Colombo and was built in 2008. Peacekeeping forces from India were sent to the island nation between 1987 and 1990 under the mandate of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord (1987) that aimed to end the civil war between Tamil nationalists like the Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the country's military. Modi laid a floral wreath on the memorial to the call of bugles. He was also escorted around the black marble memorial, on which are inscribed the names of 1200 Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

SL elections represented hope for reconciliation, unity: PM Modi (Part-2)

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the recent presidential elections in Sri Lanka, in which Maithripala Sirisena emerged as the winner, beating the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, reflected the voice of the people of the island nation, aspiring for reconciliation and unity. The Prime Minister further said that India has always placed importance on Sri Lanka. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi expressed his delight to be in Colombo and said that India is privileged to be Sri Lanka's development partner.

India-SL-Maldives triangle discussed during PM Modi's visit to Lanka: S Jaishankar

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): India's Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Friday said that India-Sri Lanka-Maldives triangle was discussed during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Lanka. He said, however, that there was no specific discussion on the situation in the three nations. Modi said that the PM also announced visa on arrival for Sri Lankans. He said that there are also some talks on to operationalize ferry service between the two countries. He further said that the next engagements for the prime minister will be a lunch with the dignitaries in Sri Lanka following which he will address the Parliament.

PM Modi talks about relevance of Buddhism in 'terrorized world'at Mahabodhi society

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): While addressing at the Mahabodhi society in Colombo city of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday talked about the relevance of Buddhism in a world filled with terror. Modi said that the oldest nation to follow Buddhism is Sri Lanka. He also said that back in his birth place, in a village in Gujarat, he ordered an excavation and found many Buddhist relics and that he has a dream to make a beautiful Buddhist temple at the spot. Modi arrived at the Mahabodhi society where he was welcomed by school children among others.

PM Modi offers prayers at Mahabodhi society in Colombo

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Mahabodhi society in Colombo on Friday to offer prayers. Modi interacted with the monks at the society and bowed down to offer them alms or 'daana'. The Prime Minister was welcomed at the society by various school children present outside the society. Modi is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka as part of his three-nation visit. His visit to the neighbouring country will be the fourth interaction between the two nations since his coming to power in May last year.

Discussed fishermen issue, need to find long-term solution to it: PM Modi

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday issued a joint statement in Colombo. Modi said that India and Sri Lanka discussed the fishermen's issue and concluded that there is a need to find long-term solution to the problem. Modi also said that tourism between India and Sri Lanka will be enhanced by extending tourist visa on arrival to Sri Lankan citizens. He also announced that Air India will soon start direct flights between New Delhi and Sri Lanka. Modi stated that India will organize a festival of Sri Lanka and India later this year.

PM Narendra Modi arrives in Colombo

Colombo, March 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew into the Sri Lankan capital Colombo in the early hours on Friday for a historic visit during which he is expected to hold talks with the country's top leadership. PM Modi was received by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe and former Sri lankan cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga at the Bandaranaike International airport after he arrived in Colombo for a two-day visit at 5:25 am following an overnight journey from Port Louis in Mauritius in a special Air India plane. Sri Lanka is the last leg of his three-nation tour of Indian Ocean island nations that took him to Seychelles and Mauritius. He is expected to hold talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickramasinghe. PM Modi was also accompanied by NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.

Sri Lanka gears up to welcome Indian PM Narendra Modi

Colombo/ Chennai, March 13 (ANI): Preparations are in full swing in Sri Lanka to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in the island nation on Friday. Modi will be on a two-day visit to Lanka as part of his three-nation visit. His visit to the neighbouring country will be the fourth interaction between the two nations since his coming to power in May last year. During his visit, Modi is slated to hold talks with the newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during which a slew of agreements are likely to be signed. Senior leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sampanthan said that Modi's visit holds significance with a new government coming to power in the island nation. Modi is scheduled to commission a railway project in Talaimannar in Sri Lanka during his visit.

PM Modi expresses concern over global warming, assures full support to Mauritius Part - 1

Port Louis, Mar 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Mauritius, on the second leg of his three-nation tour, expressed concern over the burning issue of global warming. Modi at a civic reception said the world needs to combat the ill-effects of climate change. He also assured full support to the country.

PM Modi expresses concern over global warming, assures full support to Mauritius Part - 2

Port Louis, Mar 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Mauritius, on the second leg of his three-nation tour, expressed concern over the burning issue of global warming. Modi at a civic reception said the world needs to combat the ill-effects of climate change. He also assured full support to the country.

PM Modi pays floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's statue

Mauritius, March 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid floral tribute to Mahatama Gandhi's statue in Port Louis. Modi also waved at the people present there. Earlier in the day, the visiting Prime Minister addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius. On Wednesday, India and Mauritius signed five agreements to give new momentum to bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The MoUs were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Sir Anerood Jugnuth.

PM Modi addresses Mauritius Parliament, assures full support to the nation (Part-2)

Port Louis, March 12 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Mauritius, on the second leg of his three-nation tour, addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius on Thursday. While addressing the national assembly, Modi assured full support to the nation and acknowledged the National Day saying that Freedom Fighter Mahatma Gandhi started Dandi March on this day in 1930. He also said that the two nations relate to each other on their shared democratic values. PM Modi also announced a second cyber city in Mauritius after Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee did earlier. He said that proudly flying the flag of Mauritius, Barracuda will sail as a symbol of partnership between India and Mauritius.