A 23-member delegation of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association, led by Hon. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media, visited India from 26 to 30 August. The delegation comprised office-bearers and executive committee members of the Friendship Association, representing various political parties, along with Parliamentary staff. The visit provided the delegation an opportunity to witness India’s institutional and developmental transformation across key sectors.
The delegation called on the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla. Welcoming the recent formation of the Friendship Association, the Speaker emphasised the importance of building institutional capacities and exploring new areas of collaboration. The visiting delegation conveyed appreciation for India’s consistent and unconditional support to Sri Lanka and reiterated their commitment to advancing bilateral relations between the two countries.
In a separate engagement, Hon. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa held a bilateral meeting with Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare of India, discussing ongoing cooperation in the health sector and identified opportunities for further collaboration.
During the visit, the delegation also explored India’s advancements in public health and education. This included visits to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jan Aushadhi Kendra—a flagship initiative providing affordable essential medicines—and the edtech startup Physics Wallah. These visits offered valuable insights into India’s innovation-led approach in healthcare and education, and its scalable models for inclusive development.
To enhance economic and commercial linkages, the delegation participated in a business roundtable organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The discussion focused on deepening trade and investment ties, with emphasis on cooperation in the areas of pharmaceuticals, healthcare infrastructure, and technology.
