Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha paid a visit to the Southern Province on 24 – 25 September 2025. On 24 September, he inaugurated a RO Water Plant in the OPD area of the District General Hospital Hambantota. The plant, donated by the Government of India, is expected to benefit around 1000 people daily, including patients, visitors and hospital staff. Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Hambantota were present on the occasion.

On 25 September, the High Commissioner visited Sri Vijayarama Purana Viharaya in Ambalangoda, Galle district, a temple that houses wooden artifacts of exceptional craftsmanship and ancient artistry. High Commissioner extended financial assistance for completion of works at the temple premises to install 80 wooden statues of Lord Buddha.

The High Commissioner also inaugurated an Ayurveda camp on the premises of the temple, organized by the Consulate General of India in Hambantota jointly with the Southern Provincial Council. The camp closely coincided with the celebrations of 10th Ayurveda Day by the Government of India, and benefitted hundreds of local people through free check-ups, consultations and medicines.

Paying homage to the shared heritage of Buddhism, the High Commissioner also offered prayers at Wewrukannala Buduraja Maha Viharaya in Dikwella and Paravi Duwa Temple in Matara.

The visit was part of the wider outreach of the High Commission of India in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Earlier in the month, the Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey visited the province and interacted with the Governor and Members of Parliament from the province and Vice-Chancellor of University of Ruhuna, among others.

Notable past and ongoing examples of India’s development assistance initiatives in the province include construction of a 1500-capacity Rabindranath Tagore Auditorium at Ruhuna University, establishment of smart classrooms and equipped computer labs in 200 schools, two different ‘Gram Shakthi’ housing projects covering over 1000 beneficiaries, among others.