PM Narendra Modi's Sri Lanka visit: As it happened

Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flew into the Sri Lankan capital in the early hours and held talks with the country's top leadership during which several vexed issues were discussed and key agreements signed.

Here are the Live Updates:

• PM Narendra Modi concludes his speech at the business meet hosted by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
• India's progress gives us the ability to create opportunities for our neighbours: PM Narendra Modi.
• India is opening up to the world: PM Modi says at Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.  
• I am prepared to work on the trade growth imbalance, we will try to make it easier for you to access Indian market: PM
• World's engagement with India is at a new level, but first claim to India should be its neighbors: PM
• There is a new level of energy in our economy: PM
• Infrastructure, services, tourism...there are no limit to possibilities. There is new purpose and clarity in India's policies, says PM Modi.
• There are many in our region who think India's economic size will hurt them, I disagree: PM Modi at Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
• This is one of the most important meets in SL, our path will be determined by our economic choice & quality of governance: PM

PM Shri @narendramodi at the business meeting hosted by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce pic.twitter.com/9G22TlTQav — PIB India (@PIB_India) March 13, 2015

• PM Narendra Modi attends a business meet hosted by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
• PM Modi concludes his speech at Sri Lankan Parliament
• It's an honour to be with you: PM
• I am honoured to be his first guest here: PM
• We were honoured that President Sirisena chose India as his first destination last month: PM
• India is a natural source of investment for Sri Lanka, says PM Modi
• India & Sri Lanka are at the moment of opportunity & responsibility for realizing the dreams of our people: PM
• Your leadership and our partnership is important for ensuring  peaceful & secure maritime neighborhood: PM
• We hope Sri Lanka makes full use of this: PM Modi
• India's satellite for the SAARC region should be in space soon: PM
• I often say, that course of 21st century will be determined by current of Indian Ocean: PM Modi
• India, Sri Lanka too close to look away from each other: PM Modi
• Diversity can be a source of strength for nations: PM
• Recent elections in Sri Lanka have reflected the collective voice of the nation– the hope for change, reconciliation and unity: PM
• A future of prosperity lies on strong foundation of security of our countries and peace and stability across region: PM
• We have decided to extend 'visa on arrival' facilities to Sri Lankans, we'll increase connectivity between two countries: PM
• When we connect deeper, bonds between nations become stronger: PM
• We will continue our development partnership, we will be guided by your Govt: PM
• We have good progress today, lets work together to harness vast potential of our economy: PM
• SL is an inspiration for our region in human development. SL is home to enterprise and skill and extraordinary intellectual heritage: PM
• I'll be happy if India serves as a catalyst in progress of our neighbors: PM Modi
• Our neighbors should have first claim on India: PM Modi
• My vision of an ideal neighborhood is one in which trade, investment, technology and ideas flow easily across border: PM Modi
• I'm confident Sri Lanka's future will be defined by unity, integrity, peace & harmony & opportunity for everyone: PM Modi
• My top priority is to make states in India stronger and deliver in cooperative federalism: PM Modi
• Diversity can be a source of strength for nation, when we empower states and villages, we make our country stronger & stronger: PM Modi
• Today my top priority in India is to make the states stronger, formal partners in nations's decision making: PM
• Sri Lanka's success is of great significance to us, as a friend our good wishes,support & solidarity has always been with SL: PM Modi
• The nation is an inspiration for our region in human development, Sri Lanka is home to entrepreneur and skill: PM Modi
• Ours is a relation that is beautifully defined by the journey of Mahindra & Saṅghamittā, they carried message of peace and tolerance: PM
• India, Sri Lanka don't have a land boundary but we are the closest neighbours in every sense: PM
• We have been formed of the same elements and our inter-connected histories ,today we stand together as independent sovereign nations: PM Modi
• Today, we stand together as proud independent nations– sovereign and equal: PM
• The future that I dream of India, is also the future I wish for our neighbors: PM Modi
• This Parliament represents one of Asia's oldest democracies and one of its most vibrant: PM
• I bring the greetings of 1.25 billion friends and millions of fans of Sri Lankan cricket: PM
• I'm honored to be in this Parliament and conscious of its rich history: PM Modi
• I’m truly delighted to visit Sri Lanka, a land of beauty, culture & friendship: PM Modi
• Honoured to address Sri Lankan Parliament, says PM Narendra Modi
• Honoured to address Sri Lankan Parliament, says PM Narendra Modi
• PM Modi reaches Sri Lankan Parliament, to address shortly
• SL President expressed deep appreciation for what we have done in the health, infrastructure sector: Foreign Secretary
• Some talks are on to operationalise ferry service between the two countries: Foreign Secretary
• PM announced visa on arrival for Sri Lankans: Foreign Secretary
• There wasn't specific discussion on situation in Maldives, India-SL-Maldives triangle came up in discussions: Foreign Secretary
• Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar interacts with media in Colombo.

• It was my dream to make a beautiful Buddhist temple where we found Buddhist relics in Gujarat: PM
• Today when we travel around the world we can see Sri Lankan 'bhikshus' performing their pious tasks: PM
• It is said that the oldest nation to follow Buddhism is Sri Lanka: PM
• PM Modi speaking at Mahabodhi society in Colombo.
• PM Modi interacts with Buddhist monks in Colombo.
• PM Narendra Modi offers alms to monks at Mahabodhi society  
• School children welcome PM Modi to Mahabodhi society in Colombo
• PM Modi visits Mahabodhi Society in Sri Lanka
• PM Modi concludes his speech
• The meeting today has been very productive, gives me optimism: PM Modi
• Fishermen organizations in both countries should meet at earliest to find mutually accepted agreement which can be taken forward by both Govt: PM
• We discussed complex issue of fishermen. We must find a long term solution to this issue: PM
• We will organize an exhibition showcasing our Buddhist heritage as a part of this festival: PM Modi
• We will co-operate for developing a Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka and a Buddhist Circuit in India: PM
• We will organize a festival of India-Sri Lanka later this year: PM Modi
• India is privileged to be a development partner for SL: PM
• Air India will soon start direct flights from New Delhi to Colombo: PM Modi
• We will extend tourist visa on arrival to SL citizens from April 14, 2015: PM
• I look fwd to early commencement on ground of Sampur coal project: PM
• India stands ready to help Trincomalee become a petroleum hub: PM
• It helps us understand each other better, find solutions to mutual concerns: PM Modi
• Progress we have made reflects our shared commitment to stronger economic cooperation: PM
• I am aware about SL concerns over trade with India, we will try and address them: PM
• Economic ties key to strong India, Sri Lanka bilateral ties, says PM Modi
• Our trade has seen impressive growth over the past decade: PM
• I am conscious of the significance of this visit. This is the first stand alone bilateral visit by an Indian PM since 1987: PM
• I am delighted to be in Sri Lanka, and in this beautiful city of Colombo: PM
• Last month Prez Sirisena honored us by making India his first visit, this is how it should be between neighbors: PM
• All Sri Lankans are honoured by your visit: Prez Sirisena
• PM Modi's visit to the north is going to be historic. President Sirisena
• Preparations in full swing, ahead of PM Modi's arrival at Maha Bodhi Society, Colombo
• PM Modi & Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena issue a joint statement
• Bilateral agreements signed between India and Sri Lanka
• Signing of agreements between India and Sri Lanka underway.
• PM Modi leads the delegation-level talks between India, Sri Lanka
• India to give visa on arrival to Sri Lankan Nationals on 14 April (Sinhala New Year): Reports.
• After ceremonial welcome, talks begin between Modi and SL President Sirisena.
• PM Modi goes to Presidential Secretariat for talks after ceremonial welcome
• Colombo media publishes articles on India-SL bilateral ties and 'Make in India'
• PM Modi's Sri Lanka visit makes headlines in Lankan media: Reports
• PM Modi accorded Guard of Honour in Sri Lanka, to meet President Sirisena shortly
• PM Modi welcomed by President Sirisena at the ceremonial reception in Colombo.
• PM Modi on way for the ceremonial welcome in Colombo
• Modi will also address the Sri Lankan Parliament later today.
• He will also hold talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickramasinghe.
• Modi will hold summit talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena.
• Sri Lanka's PM Wickremesinghe receives Modi on arrival.
• PM Modi accorded warm welcome upon his arrival in Sri Lankan capital.
• PM Modi arrives in Colombo for a two-day visit at 5.25 am after an overnight journey from Port Louis in Mauritius in a special Air India plane.

PM Modi's 3-nation tour

Sri Lanka is the final stop of his three-nation tour of Indian Ocean island nations that took him to Seychelles and Mauritius.

Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Lanka in 28 years, will today hold summit talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, who was in India last month on his first foreign trip after assuming office in January.

The Prime Minister's visit to Lanka is considered to be an opportunity to further strengthen all aspects of the bilateral relationship. His trip to Lanka is also the first standalone prime ministerial visit to the island nation since 1987 when Rajiv Gandhi came here.

"I see this visit as an opportunity to further strengthen our relationship in all its dimensions -- political, strategic, economic, cultural, and above all, people to people contacts," he had said in his pre-departure statement.

He will be the first Indian Prime Minister and only the second foreign leader after British Premier David Cameron to visit Jaffna in the war-ravaged Northern province, where he will hand over homes built with the help of Indian assistance.

Some 20,000 such homes were built in Jaffna described by India as "a flagship cooperation project currently in Sri Lanka". He is also expected to meet leaders of the Tamil National Alliance and other political parties.

Modi is accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.