PM Modi receives Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour ‘Mithra Vibhushana’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday  was conferred with the Mithra Vibhushana, Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour, by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.

The award ceremony took place at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo during PM Modi’s official visit to the island nation.

“It is an honour for me to be awarded the Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana by President Dissanayake. It is also an honour for 1.4 billion Indians,” PM Modi said after receiving the honour.

Instituted in February 2008 by then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Mithra Vibhushana is reserved for foreign heads of state and government who have made significant contributions to fostering close and friendly relations with Sri Lanka.

The award comprises a citation and a silver medal worn around the neck, adorned with nine varieties of Sri Lankan gems and symbols including a lotus, a globe, the sun and moon, and sheaves of rice.

The medal’s Dharma Chakra represents the shared Buddhist heritage that has shaped the cultural and spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka.

The Pun Kalasa, or ceremonial pot, symbolizes prosperity and renewal, while the Navarathna (nine precious gems) are embedded within a globe encircled by lotus petals—signifying harmony, richness, and connection.

Past recipients include former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday evening following his visit to Bangkok, where he attended the BIMSTEC summit.