President Ranil Wickremesinghe lauded the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, for his contributions to Sri Lanka's financial stability during the 'Naam 200' celebration, marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) people in the hill country. President Wickremesinghe extended his appreciation for India's support, emphasizing the significant role it played in the successful event. He also commended Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her unwavering dedication to the cause.

During this celebration held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, President Wickremesinghe addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of this occasion as the start of a new journey for the hill Tamil people. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing land titles and ensuring access to education, recognizing the rights of this community.

The President emphasized that the celebration symbolizes a new chapter for the hill Tamil people and underscores the government's objective of uniting all its citizens to move the country forward. President Wickremesinghe underlined the government's policy to protect the rights of all Sri Lankan citizens, regardless of their backgrounds, with the ultimate goal of building a developed and united Sri Lanka.

The 'Naam 200' celebration brought together over 5,000 Tamil people from the hills and featured various cultural elements. It was an occasion to commemorate the rich history and contributions of the Indian Origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

President Wickremesinghe, along with Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman, laid the foundation stone for a significant project: the construction of 10,000 houses with Indian aid in the lower part of Mount Vernon Estate, Dimbula, Kotagala. Additionally, a new auditorium and computer unit at the Hatton Vocational Training Centre were inaugurated virtually, and school equipment was distributed to students, marking a tangible step toward the betterment of the community.