President Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed deep empathy and concern at the ongoing COVID-19 situation in India in his letter of solidarity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 April 2021.
The President noted that concerted efforts of humanity have succeeded in overcoming such pandemics since time immemorial. He also expressed confidence that India will tackle the crisis effectively under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the support of dedicated experts and professionals.
In a very touching gesture, the President conveyed to Prime Minister Modi that the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka was planning to compassionately recite the ‘Rathna Sutra’ for the people of India. The empathetic gestures of the President and the Buddhist clergy reflect the depth and strength of the age-old and time-tested close relationship between India and Sri Lanka. The solidarity of Sri Lanka with India in the challenging times of COVID 19 pandemic is gratefully appreciated by the leadership and the people of India. A press release issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo said
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also expressed deep gratitude, on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, for the initial gift of 500,000 doses of made in India COVID-19 vaccines which enabled Government of Sri Lanka to launch the first vaccination programme, ahead of the original schedule.
India and Sri Lanka have stood with each other in facing the enormous challenges posed by the COVID 19 pandemic. Their cooperation in this regard befits their close and friendly relations and will continue to foster the well-being of their peoples as well as their fraternal and civilisational ties.
