The High Commission of India in Colombo organized an event on tourism, titled “India Sri Lanka Tourism Connect: From the Ganges to the Kelani, A voyage of Friendship & Discovery” on 19th November 2025 in Colombo.
This event was organized with a view to promote greater tourism linkages between the two countries, with a focus on understanding analytics, appreciating branding and discovering technology. Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Government of Sri Lanka and H.E. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka attended the event.
The event witnessed participation of the tourism industry ecosystem of Sri Lanka including the prominent outbound and inbound tour operators, hospitality leaders and media. Key experts from India representing branding, analytics and technology also attended the event.
The event also featured a Keynote Address and Presentation by Mr. Harikishore S., Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. His address highlighted India’s diverse tourism landscape, its evolving branding strategy, and new opportunities for Sri Lankan travelers to experience both luxury and affordable travel across India.
Madhya Pradesh was showcased as a key tourist destination for Sri Lankan travelers. A high level delegation from the Government of Madhya Pradesh led by Dr. Ilayaraja T., Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation visited Colombo to attend the event. On the sidelines, various meetings were organized with prominent hospitality companies and Mahabodhi Society. Roundtable interaction with Ramayana artists and storytellers was also organized.
The event also saw participation from key players in India’s travel and digital ecosystem including MakeMyTrip and Paytm, which shared insights on traveller behaviour, digital payments, and evolving consumer trends. IIT Madras also showcased its Augmented and Virtual Reality (VR) applications for tourism, offering immersive journeys through India’s iconic destinations.
The event successfully underscored the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka to deepen cooperation in the tourism sector by leveraging technology, enhancing connectivity, and promoting new destinations.
