Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP-led NDA’s “historic” achievement of securing three consecutive victories in the Lok Sabha elections, Sri Lanka’s Opposition leader, Sajith Premadasa on Wednesday reaffirmed support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Making a special speech in the Lankan Parliament, Premadasa emphasized that India, with its status as the world’s most populous country and a significant global economic and military power, deserves this recognition.
“This is of utmost importance as India has the largest population in the whole world. Also, when you examine the world’s economic, security power configuration, I feel that this representation of India in the UNSC must be achieved and must be promoted,” said Premadasa.
“We as parliamentarians, all 225, in this august assembly would like to propose that India be made a permanent member of the UN Security Council. I think it is long overdue and it should be implemented as quickly as possible,” the Opposition leader said, expressing his confidence that the current permanent members of the UNSC would acknowledge India’s rightful place in the global power structure.
“I am pretty sure that the five members who are there right now would have no objection to establishing this world power reality in the UN structure,” he stated.
Premadasa also acknowledged the strong bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and India and expressed gratitude for India’s significant financial support including grants, loans, and other financial aid totaling approximately six billion USD.
Hailing his visionary leadership, practical policies, and effective governance, the Lankan leader highlighted that Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to accomplish the feat of leading the country for the third time. The Lankan Opposition leader also reiterated his commitment to maintain cooperation between the two nations to ensure mutual prosperity and benefits.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe also congratulated PM Modi on NDA’s victory and re-election for the third term.