Sri Lanka President Dissanayake Congratulates Tamil Nadu CM Vijay
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday congratulated actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, while emphasising the long-standing cultural and historical relationship between Sri Lanka and the southern Indian state.
In a social media message, President Dissanayake said Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu share deep-rooted connections shaped by history, culture, trade and strong people-to-people ties across generations.
“Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu are connected through history, culture, enterprise, and enduring people-to-people ties across generations,” the Sri Lankan President wrote.
He also expressed optimism about stronger cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the coming years.
“Our future holds immense economic promise and opportunity as Sri Lanka and India continue to build ever closer ties and a stronger partnership,” Dissanayake said.
The Sri Lankan President added that he looked forward to working together within the broader India-Sri Lanka partnership for “greater prosperity and progress”.
“The people of Sri Lanka join me in wishing you and the people of Tamil Nadu every success,” he added.
Apart from the Sri Lankan President, the island nation’s leading Tamil political party, Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), also congratulated Vijay following his swearing-in ceremony in Chennai.
ITAK general secretary M.A. Sumanthiran extended his wishes to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief through a social media post, calling it a historic moment for Tamil Nadu politics.
Tamils form the largest ethnic minority community in Sri Lanka, accounting for nearly 18 per cent of the country’s population. The community is broadly divided into Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils, with a majority residing in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday in Chennai, ending nearly six decades of alternating rule between the DMK and AIADMK in the State. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy during the ceremony.
