Tamil politicians from across the North-East said they had discussed the devolution of powers and federalism with Narendra Modi, as the Indian Prime Minister visited Colombo this weekend and said he “reiterated unwavering commitment to a life of equality, dignity and justice for the Tamil community”.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Colombo in April 2025, India and Sri Lanka signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation—an agreement that both governments say is rooted in shared security interests and mutual trust.

What the agreement includes

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has come under fire after authorising a 90-day detention order under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against 22-year-old Mohamad Liyauudeen Mohamad Rusdi, sparking concern from human rights advocates and Muslim organisations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he hoped Sri Lanka would “meet the aspirations of the Tamil people” during a state visit to the island this weekend, while unveiling a slate of development projects and signing a defence agreement with Colombo.

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is set to sign a number of landmark agreements with Sri Lankan president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) during his three-day visit to Sri Lanka beginning Friday, 4th April.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has sought to assuage Sinhala nationalist concerns about a defence agreement that is to be signed with New Delhi, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Colombo this evening.

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Colombo this evening for his three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, large hoardings and welcome banners were seen across the capital – notably missing any Tamil-language content.

Former minister and Rajapaksa ally Lohan Ratwatte launched an attack on Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stating that the president and his allies “must be hanged” for their role in the JVP insurrection of the 1980s.