Chennai: Declaring open through video conferencing the renovated Durraiappah Stadium in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed that India strongly believes that its economic growth must drive and bring benefit to its neighbouring countries.
The stadium, named after former Jaffna Mayor Alfred Durraiappah, who was shot dead by the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran in 1975 at the beginning of his career in militancy, was renovated at a cost of Rs 7 crore. It was jointly inaugurated by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Modi, who joined the event from New Delhi through video conferencing.
In his speech, the Prime Minister said India will walk side by side with Sri Lanka as it charts its own path to progress and prosperity for all of its citizens.
“This is what makes our enduring ties relevant to our present, as also to our future. India’s desire is to see an economically prosperous Sri Lanka. A Sri Lanka where: unity and integrity; peace, harmony and security; and equal opportunity and dignity, prevails throughout the country among all its people,” Modi said in his brief speech.
Recalling his “historic visit” to Jaffna last year becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Northern Province, Modi said Durraiappah Stadium was not just brick and mortar, but a symbol of optimism and economic development and an arena for a prosperous and healthy future for Jaffna’s youth.
“Our relations are not limited to the confines of our two governments. They reside in the rich contacts of our history, culture, language, art, and geography. India strongly believes that its economic growth must drive and bring benefit to its neighbours. Durraiappah Stadium embodies the spirit of our cooperation. Indeed, India’s support for Sri Lanka’s development is a promise of our friendship,” Modi said.
Both countries celebrated the start of the International day of Yoga with a curtain raiser from the Durraiappah Stadium where thousands performed the ‘Surya Namaskar’. The renovated stadium has a seating capacity of 1,850.
