COVID-19: Narendra Modi speaks with Sri Lankan PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday on completing 50 years as a parliamentarian.

The two leaders also discussed the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Spoke to PM Mahinda Rajapaksa today to greet him on completing 50 years since his first election to the Parliament of Sri Lanka," Modi wrote on Twitter.

The prime minister said he also complimented Rajapaksa on an illustrious political career and wished him and the people of Sri Lanka good health, peace, and prosperity.

Modi recalled and speaks Sri Lankan PM Rajapaska's contributions to the development of Sri Lanka in his long political career and wished him all the best for his future, an official statement said.

He also conveyed his condolences at the sudden death of Arumugan Thondaman, a prominent leader of the Indian-Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. The prime minister recalled the role Thondaman had played in taking forward the development partnership between India and Sri Lanka.

The two leaders discussed the health and economic impact of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and the measures being taken in the two countries to counter it.

Modi assured Rajapaksa that India stands ready to extend all possible support to Sri Lanka during this challenging time, the statement said.