India has initiated the first payment for Hybrid Power Projects aimed at addressing the energy needs of three remote islands off the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The announcement came as India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, formally handed over the payment to Sulakshana Jayawardena, Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy and Chairperson of Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA).
The project, backed by an $11 million grant from India, is set to benefit the islands of Delft, Nainativu, and Analaitivu, which are currently not connected to Sri Lanka’s national power grid. This initiative underscores India’s commitment to supporting its neighbor’s infrastructure development and energy security.
This latest development follows a series of diplomatic engagements by High Commissioner Jha across Sri Lanka. Last week, Jha visited the country’s Eastern Province, meeting with Governor Senthil Thondaman and State Minister of Trade and Environment S Viyalendiran. Discussions centered on various ongoing and planned projects in the region under Indian assistance, as well as current political developments in Sri Lanka.
In a post on X, the embassy said, “During his visit to Eastern Province, HC Santosh Jha met Governor Hon. Senthil Thondaman & State Min. of Trade & Environment Hon. S. Viyalendiran discussed various planned & ongoing projects in the Province under Indian assistance. Also exchanged views on political developments in Sri Lanka.”
During his tour, Jha also engaged with local business communities, interacting with representatives from the Batticaloa District Chamber of Commerce and the Batticaloa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He provided guidance on potential avenues to enhance business-to-business engagement with India, highlighting the economic dimension of the bilateral relationship.
The High Commissioner’s itinerary included a visit to Polonnaruwa, where he reviewed the progress of a Tri-lingual Multi-ethnic School being constructed as part of India’s High Impact Community Development Projects. This initiative reflects India’s focus on education and cultural integration in its development assistance to Sri Lanka.
The Rai Bhasha Multi-Ethnic School is a high-impact community development project under the Indian grant assistance. On August 20, Jha distributed solar lanterns to beneficiaries of houses built with Indian grant assistance at Pitakanda, Rattotta Estate, reaffirming India’s continued commitment towards betterment of the IOT community in the plantation regions.
(Inputs from ANI)