High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha, hosted a reception in honour of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association (SLIPFA). The event was marked against the backdrop of the recent successful visit of SLIPFA delegation led by Hon. Minister of Health & Mass Media & President of SLIPFA Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to India in August 2025.
In his remarks, High Commissioner underscored the deep-rooted, civilizational and people-centric ties that bind India and Sri Lanka. Recalling the landmark visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka in April 2025, he described it as a defining moment in bilateral relations. He noted the significant outcomes of the visit, which included initiatives and MoUs spanning energy cooperation, defence, digital transformation, capacity building, health, railways, and dedicated development assistance for Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province.
High Commissioner highlighted that amidst unequal partnerships between larger nations and smaller nations, India has remained an exemplar in building relations with its neighbours. India has offered Sri Lanka greater access to its vast markets more than what it gets in return from Sri Lanka under the India-Sri Lanka FTA. He also recalled India’s substantial and unconditional assistance to Sri Lanka during challenging times in 2022—despite being a developing country itself.
High Commissioner further emphasized India’s strong economic resurgence, with the country now being the world’s fourth-largest economy and a key driver of global growth. He added that India and Sri Lanka are natural partners in preserving peace, ensuring maritime security, and promoting a rules-based regional order.
High Commissioner expressed confidence that the Parliamentary Friendship Association will continue to serve as a dynamic platform to foster dialogue, promote mutual interests, and explore new avenues of cooperation.
Thanking the Government of India for hosting the 23 member SLIPFA delegation, Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa spoke about the delegation’s wide-ranging engagements in New Delhi, including insightful discussions on public healthcare, affordable medicine, education, vocational training, and innovation. The delegation had also visited leading health institutions and emerging start-ups. He noted that the exposure to India’s parliamentary procedures and legislative practices provided valuable learning, while the visit also offered a first-hand experience of the remarkable economic transformation currently underway in India.
The reception was attended by several members of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association. The event reaffirmed the deepening ties between the two countries, built on shared democratic values, mutual respect, and a common vision for regional peace and prosperity.
