High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha, graced the annual dinner organized by the Sri Lanka–India Society (SLIS) to mark India’s 79th Independence Day. Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, also attended the event, which was held on 15 September 2025. The dinner was attended by prominent members of the Indian and Sri Lankan business communities, media, investors, CEOs, and members of SLIS, including its President Ms. Yamuna Ganeshalingam.
Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner said that India–Sri Lanka relations are at a historic high, recalling the visits of President of Sri Lanka H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka to India in December 2024 and Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka in April 2025. These visits led to seven MoUs, new projects, and progress in key areas such as connectivity, energy security, digital transformation, capacity-building, and regional stability. He emphasized that India and Sri Lanka are natural partners and civilizational twins, and noted that India’s timely support to Sri Lanka in times of need reflects its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision.
The High Commissioner noted India’s emergence as the fastest-growing major economy, projected to be the world’s second-largest (PPP) by 2038, and invited Sri Lanka to benefit from it, as a market for exports, supply chain partner, and source of investment. He reaffirmed India’s nearly USD 7 billion development portfolio in Sri Lanka, including over USD 800 million in grants, covering all 25 districts, covering projects in areas of housing, health, railways, education, digitization, and renewable energy.
During the event, Hon. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa remarked that Sri Lanka is proud of and looks forward to India’s fast-paced economic growth. He emphasized that the Government of Sri Lanka seeks to harness the opportunities of being close to a country on its way to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, while also working to ensure peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region. He invited Indian companies to invest in Sri Lanka including in areas of pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacture. He also acknowledged the Sri Lanka–India Society’s role since its founding, in strengthening and promoting social and cultural ties between the two countries.
Founded in 1949, SLIS is the oldest friendship society between the two countries and continues to play a vital role in deepening people-to-people ties and promoting mutual understanding.
