Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’, the country’s highest civilian honour, by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake. In a social media post, the PM dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion countrymen and “the deep-rooted friendship” between India and Sri Lanka. The two leaders met as part of the PM’s state visit following Dissanayake’s invitation. A press release from the President’s office described this visit as demonstrating the shared commitment to the theme “Friendship of Centuries – Commitment to a Prosperous Future”.
PM Modi Awarded Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana
Why In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’, the country’s highest civilian honour, by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake.
- In a social media post, the PM dedicated the award to the 1.4 billion countrymen and “the deep-rooted friendship” between India and Sri Lanka. The two leaders met as part of the PM’s state visit following Dissanayake’s invitation. A press release from the President’s office described this visit as demonstrating the shared commitment to the theme “Friendship of Centuries – Commitment to a Prosperous Future”.
- According to a social media post from MyGov India, this is the Prime Minister’s 22nd international honour.
What Is The Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana
- Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana honours Heads of State and government heads with whom Sri Lanka has cordial relations. It appreciates “their friendship towards and solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka”.
- Instituted in 2008 by then-president Mahinda Rajapaksa, it is the foremost among awards granted to foreigners. According to a 2014 press release, this award ranks higher than the national honours granted by Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lanka Rathna (equivalent to the Bharat Ratna). “The ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ Honour will take precedence over the National Honours awarded to non-Sri Lankans…,” according to a gazette notification cited in the press release.
What Does The Award Comprise?
- The award consists of a citation and a silver medal studded with Navarathna, or nine Sri Lankan gems. The Navarathna surrounds a globe encircled by lotus petals. A press release from the Sri Lankan President’s office said the medal represents “the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka.”
- At its centre is a Pun Kalasa, a ceremonial pot with rice sheaves, akin to the kalasa used during Sankranti. It signifies prosperity and renewal.
- The top of the medal bears symbols of the Sun and the Moon. It also features a Dharma Chakra, representing the shared Buddhist heritage of both countries. The medal is worn around the neck with a 6.5 cm wide ribbon.
Who Are The Past Winners
- The award is granted at the President’s discretion. The names of all recipients are recorded in a special register for the purpose. Only four people have been awarded so far.
- Former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, then approaching the end of his reign, became the inaugural recipient of the award in February 2008. The Sri Lankan Guardian then described this as a recognition of his “outstanding contributions to the friendship between the two countries, enhancement of regional cooperation, and the global campaign on climate change.”
- Gayoom described the friendship between the two countries as “multidimensional”. In January 2014, Rajapaksa conferred the honour on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the former President of Palestine, Yasser Arafat (posthumously). The awards were reportedly presented at a ceremony in Palestine, where the Palestinian government conferred Rajapaksa with its highest state honour, the Star of Palestine.
