News
“We welcome investors and tourists visiting Sri Lanka who contribute to strengthening economic and cultural ties”– PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that as Sri Lanka moves towards sustainable growth, the country welcomes investors and tourists who contribute to strengthening economic and cultural ties.
She made these remarks while addressing a special celebration and dinner reception organized by the Sri Lanka India Society to commemorate the 77th Republic Day of India and the 78th Independence Day of Sri Lanka, held on Thursday [February 26] at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo.
During the event, the official magazine of the Sri Lanka India Society was launched, and the book “Port of Call” was presented to the Prime Minister and the Indian High Commissioner.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya noted that the Sri Lanka India Society since its establishment in 1949 has contributed to strengthening relations between the two nations, through cultural engagement, dialogue, and sustained interaction. The Society has supported ties not only between the two governments but also between the peoples of both countries.
She further stated,
“Over the past year, the strength of India–Sri Lanka bilateral relations has been evident. I express gratitude for the support extended by the Indian government in facilitating the exposition of the sacred Devnimori relics in Sri Lanka.
When Cyclone Dithva affected Sri Lanka, India responded promptly through “Operation Sagar Bandhu,” providing assistance in the rescue and relief efforts.
I appreciated the announcement of a long-term relief package amounting to USD 454 million in support of Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts. India continues to work closely with Sri Lanka in its journey towards sustainable development.
The Sri Lanka–India partnership spans multiple sectors, including economic development, energy, connectivity, trade and investment, digital transformation, health, education, maritime security, and people-to-people ties.
As Sri Lanka progresses towards sustainable growth, we welcome increased investments from Indian businesses and greater tourist arrivals from India, while further strengthening our economic and cultural ties”.
She reaffirmed that India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour and an important partner, Sri Lanka is committed to advancing cooperation for the benefit of the people of both countries and the wider region.
Speaking at the event, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha stated that the relationship between the two countries goes beyond formal diplomacy and is a strong and special partnership. He noted that the introduction of the first international degree offered outside India in Sri Lanka marked a new chapter in educational cooperation. He also highlighted the continued expansion of collaboration in connectivity and people-to-people relations, adding that India–Sri Lanka relations are experiencing significant growth in the current period.
The event was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, officials of the Indian High Commission, and government representatives.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) on Friday said the largest groundwater source discovered in Sri Lanka so far had been identified during tube-well drilling near the Pitabeddara Police Station.
Indrajith Gamage, geologist in charge of the Southern Province, said the source recorded a continuous flow of about 10,000 litres (10 cubic metres) per minute, marking the first instance in the country where a groundwater source of that magnitude had been found.
He noted that the previous largest groundwater source was discovered in the Madhu area, which recorded a flow of about 7,000 litres per minute.
According to the NWSDB, the tube well was drilled following geological studies of rock layers and the identification of underground water through fractures in rock strata using specialised technical instruments.
The Board said steps would be taken to distribute water from the newly discovered source to residents facing shortages in Pitabeddara, Morawaka and surrounding areas.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has formally handed over its historical records to the National Archives Department, entrusting over a century of the nation’s commercial history to the country’s official custodians of heritage.
The archive, spanning from the CCC’s founding in 1839 to 1973, includes correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, ledgers, and publications that chronicle the development of trade, enterprise, and industry in Sri Lanka. Together, the records provide a rare and detailed account of the island’s economic evolution and the role of its business community in shaping national progress.
The Ministry of Defence said on Friday (13) that arrangements had been made to repatriate to Iran the bodies of 84 sailors who died aboard the IRIS Dena, which sank in the southern seas off Sri Lanka.
A special aircraft carrying the bodies departed from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport on Friday, the Ministry said, adding that the repatriation was carried out in coordination with the Embassy of Iran in Sri Lanka.
The remains had been kept in two mobile cold-storage units at the Galle National Hospital before being transported to Mattala by lorry following a court order. Forty-five bodies were moved in the morning, while the remaining 39 were transported later in the day.
Earlier this month, the Iranian naval vessel suffered an incident about 40 nautical miles off Port of Galle while carrying around 180 personnel. Thirty-five rescued sailors were admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, while 84 bodies were subsequently recovered.
Following the incident, Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Iranian vessel had been sunk in international waters by a torpedo fired from a submarine of the United States Navy.
Showers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara, Mannar and Anuradhapura districts after 2.00 pm.
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