Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo during his two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
In a statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two leaders held discussions aimed at further strengthening the multifaceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka.
“They held productive discussions on further deepening the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka ties, rooted in shared history and cultural values. The Vice President reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy and to further strengthen our cooperation for the benefit of both nations,” he said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions also covered key development initiatives supported by India, including the Indian Housing Project and projects being implemented under the USD 450 million assistance package for areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The Vice President’s visit, scheduled from April 19 to 20, includes meetings with Sri Lanka’s top leadership, including Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and the Leader of the Opposition, as well as interactions with representatives of Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian-origin Tamil communities.
As part of his engagements, the Vice President is expected to visit Nuwara Eliya, where he will interact with Indian-origin Tamil families and review progress of housing projects under India’s assistance programme. The Housing Project Phase III has already seen the construction of 4,000 houses, with an additional 10,000 under development.
He is also scheduled to visit the Seetha Temple in Nuwara Eliya.
The Ministry said the visit is part of India’s broader diplomatic outreach under its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, aimed at strengthening regional partnerships.
India and Sri Lanka share deep-rooted civilisational ties, and the visit is expected to further reinforce people-to-people connections and expand cooperation across sectors.
Industry representatives have also welcomed the visit. President of the Lanka India Business Association Santosh Menon described it as “a significant and important moment” in bilateral relations, while Indian CEO Forum President Kishore Reddy said the visit would further strengthen economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs said Sri Lanka remains a key partner for India in the region, and the visit will contribute to enhancing cooperation and mutual development.
-ANI
