PM Modi was first to congratulate Mahinda Rajapaksa on his win in parliamentary elections

Sri Lanka will continue its cooperation with India, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has said. A Sri Lankan news website News First reported Prime Minister Rajapaksa saying that he hopes to continue cooperation with India during his term in office.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister said, “As I always say, India is our friend and relation.” He said he hoped to continue the ‘wide cooperation’ for the mutual benefit of both the countries, News First reported.

Prime Minister Modi on August 6 had called his Sri Lankan counterpart to congratulate him on his imminent election win. PMO later released a press release about the same.

The release said, “Prime Minister Modi noted that the incoming results of the elections indicate an impressive electoral performance by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Party and conveyed his congratulations and best wishes to Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa in this regard.”

PM Modi had also praised Sri Lanka for a successful polling session amid the on-going COVID-19 crisis.

Later, the Sri Lankan PM acknowledged PM Modi’s best wishes and thanked him for the same. He tweeted, “Thank you PM @narendramodi for your congratulatory phone call. With strong support of the people of #SriLanka, I look forward to working with you closely to further enhance the long-standing cooperation between our two countries. Sri Lanka & India are friends & relations.

The General Elections in Sri Lanka were held on August 5 to elect 225 members of Parliament. The incumbent SLPP party registered a massive win in the elections. PM Rajapaksa’s party managed to win 145 out of 225 seats.