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India–Lanka ties at historic high, says HC Jha at SLIS Independence Day Dinner
India–Sri Lanka relations are at a “historic high”, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha said on Monday, addressing a distinguished gathering at the annual dinner hosted by the Sri Lanka–India Society (SLIS) to mark India’s 79th Independence Day.
The event, held on September 15 in Colombo, brought together leading figures from the diplomatic corps, business community, media, and civil society, including Health and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and SLIS President Yamuna Ganeshalingam.
In his address, High Commissioner Jha pointed to recent high-level bilateral engagements, including Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India in December 2024 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo in April 2025, as turning points that have “infused new momentum” into the relationship.
“These landmark visits resulted in seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), the launch of new development projects, and progress in critical areas such as connectivity, energy security, digital transformation, and regional stability,” he said, underscoring India and Sri Lanka’s position as “natural partners and civilizational twins.”
Highlighting India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and “MAHASAGAR” vision for the Indian Ocean region, Jha said India’s timely assistance during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis reflected its unwavering commitment to regional solidarity.
The High Commissioner also spoke of India’s emergence as the fastest-growing major economy, projected to become the world’s second-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity by 2038. He encouraged Sri Lanka to seize the economic opportunities stemming from India’s growth, as an export market, supply chain partner, and investment source.
He reaffirmed India’s nearly USD 7 billion development cooperation portfolio in Sri Lanka, including over USD 800 million in grants, with projects spanning all 25 districts in sectors such as housing, healthcare, railways, education, digitization, and renewable energy.
Minister Jayatissa, delivering remarks at the dinner, said Sri Lanka is proud of India’s economic strides and is eager to benefit from its growing global footprint.
“As India powers ahead to become the world’s third-largest economy, Sri Lanka aims to be an active partner in that journey,” the Minister said. He invited Indian companies to invest in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment manufacturing, and stressed Sri Lanka’s commitment to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean.
The Minister also paid tribute to SLIS, established in 1949, for its longstanding efforts in fostering people-to-people ties and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Cultural performances by local artists and a celebratory dinner rounded off the evening, reflecting the warmth and depth of India–Sri Lanka friendship.
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Prime Minister to recruit 2,284 to the government service as per the recommendations of the ‘Committee appointed to review the recruitment process of the Government Service at its meeting held on 14.11.2025.
1. Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education 196
2. Ministry of Health and Mass Media 480
3. Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and
Local Governments 04
4. Ministry of Finance, Policy Planning and Economic
Development 19
5. Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development 778
6. Ministry of Justice and National Integration 222
7. Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development 107
8. Ministry of Defense 73
9. Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources 20
10. Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs 21
11. Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development 36
12. Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
04
13. Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
Facilities 02
14. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation 74
15. Western Provincial Council 230
16. Uva Provincial Council 08
17. North Western Provincial Council 08
18. Finance Commission 02
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Cabinet green light to obtain a grant from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund for post – disaster relief and rehabilitation activities
On a request made by the government of Sri Lanka, the Asian Development Bank has given its concurrence to provide a grant of United States dollars 3 million under Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund.
It is expected to supply materials required for providing essential life security services for the communities affected, from the said grant.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the President as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to enter into the relevant agreements with the Asian Development Bank to obtain the said grant.
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Accordingly, requests for proposals have been called to implement the relevant project by adhering to the international competitive bidding methodology, and seven (7) prospective project proposals were submitted.
Evaluating the said proposals, based on the recommendations submitted by the negotiation committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Power to award the contracts of establishing the two (02) 50 Mega Watts Wind
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