Colombo was buzzing with excitement and activity on April 4 and 5, 2025, as two major events took place at the same time. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka officially, while Tamil music star HipHop Tamizha performed their much-awaited concert, “Return of the Dragon Machi.” Both events drew large crowds, brought big energy, and made headlines across the country.
To honour Prime Minister Modi, Sri Lanka awarded him the “Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana,” the highest civilian honour given to a foreign leader.
To honour Prime Minister Modi, Sri Lanka awarded him the “Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana,” the highest civilian honour given to a foreign leader.
Because of the high level of security needed for this visit, many roads were closed in and around Colombo. On April 4, the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Baseline Road were closed from 6 PM to 10 PM. This caused delays for people traveling to the airport. On April 5, several roads leading to and from Independence Square were closed from 8 AM, including Galle Road, Liberty Circus, and Dharmapala Mawatha. Authorities did provide alternative routes, but traffic was still heavy in many areas.
On the same night, April 5, HipHop Tamizha performed live at the CR & FC Grounds in Colombo. The concert, organized by Maestro Productions, was called the biggest Tamil music concert in Sri Lanka for 2025. The stage was the largest ever built for a concert in Colombo, and fans were excited to see the popular perform.
However, the concert faced some challenges because of the road closures. Many fans had to walk long distances to reach the venue, and traffic made it hard to arrive on time. The show, which was supposed to start earlier, was delayed, and finally began around 8:45 PM. But the wait was worth it. Once on stage, HipHop Tamizha brought the crowd to life with their high energy, songs, and fun moments.
The concert went on until about 12:30 AM, making it one of the longest-running shows in Colombo. Though fans had trouble finding transport home late at night, many said it was one of the best concerts they had ever attended. HipHop Tamizha, shared heartfelt messages with the audience, making the night even more special.
Despite the mix of security restrictions and traffic troubles, both events left a strong mark on Colombo. Prime Minister Modi’s visit helped deepen India-Sri Lanka ties, while HipHop Tamizha’s show proved that music can bring people together, even on a night full of challenges.
Prime Minister Modi’s arrival led to several road closures, which seemed a bit excessive and caused significant disruptions to daily life. It impacted people’s work, delayed essential services like ambulances, and led to people passing the time by watching reels while stuck in traffic. Many individuals also had to walk long distances due to the roadblocks. While security is understandably important for such a high-profile visit, it would have been ideal if it didn’t affect the general public so much.
Nonetheless, the HipHop Tamizha concert was a fantastic experience, and despite the challenges, the energy and excitement made it memorable. Hopefully, Prime Minister Modi’s visit brings valuable outcomes that justify the disruptions.
These two events, happening side by side, showed the city’s ability to host big moments, both political and cultural, on the same stage.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit was his first under the new Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government. He received a grand welcome at Independence Square with a 19-gun salute and a special guard of honour. His visit focused on building stronger ties between India and Sri Lanka, especially in the areas of energy and defence. One major agreement signed was a joint energy hub in Trincomalee, which also involves the UAE. Another key project launched was a 120MW solar power project in Sampur. The countries also signed a defence agreement to strengthen military cooperation.
To honour Prime Minister Modi, Sri Lanka awarded him the “Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana,” the highest civilian honour given to a foreign leader.
Because of the high level of security needed for this visit, many roads were closed in and around Colombo. On April 4, the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and Baseline Road were closed from 6 PM to 10 PM. This caused delays for people traveling to the airport. On April 5, several roads leading to and from Independence Square were closed from 8 AM, including Galle Road, Liberty Circus, and Dharmapala Mawatha. Authorities did provide alternative routes, but traffic was still heavy in many areas.
On the same night, April 5, HipHop Tamizha performed live at the CR & FC Grounds in Colombo. The concert, organized by Maestro Productions, was called the biggest Tamil music concert in Sri Lanka for 2025. The stage was the largest ever built for a concert in Colombo, and fans were excited to see the popular perform.
However, the concert faced some challenges because of the road closures. Many fans had to walk long distances to reach the venue, and traffic made it hard to arrive on time. The show, which was supposed to start earlier, was delayed, and finally began around 8:45 PM. But the wait was worth it. Once on stage, HipHop Tamizha brought the crowd to life with their high energy, songs, and fun moments.
Once on stage, HipHop Tamizha brought the crowd to life with their high energy, songs, and fun moments.
The concert went on until about 12:30 AM, making it one of the longest-running shows in Colombo. Though fans had trouble finding transport home late at night, many said it was one of the best concerts they had ever attended. HipHop Tamizha, shared heartfelt messages with the audience, making the night even more special.
Despite the mix of security restrictions and traffic troubles, both events left a strong mark on Colombo. Prime Minister Modi’s visit helped deepen India-Sri Lanka ties, while HipHop Tamizha’s show proved that music can bring people together, even on a night full of challenges.
Prime Minister Modi’s arrival led to several road closures, which seemed a bit excessive and caused significant disruptions to daily life. It impacted people’s work, delayed essential services like ambulances, and led to people passing the time by watching reels while stuck in traffic. Many individuals also had to walk long distances due to the roadblocks. While security is understandably important for such a high-profile visit, it would have been ideal if it didn’t affect the general public so much.
Nonetheless, the HipHop Tamizha concert was a fantastic experience, and despite the challenges, the energy and excitement made it memorable. Hopefully, Prime Minister Modi’s visit brings valuable outcomes that justify the disruptions.
These two events, happening side by side, showed the city’s ability to host big moments, both political and cultural, on the same stage.
