Sri Lanka–India Partnership Growing Across Key Sectors, Says PM Harini Amarasuriya

COLOMBO (News 1st); A special celebration and dinner reception organised by the Sri Lanka India Society to mark the 77th Republic Day of India and the 78th Independence Day of Sri Lanka was held in Colombo yesterday, with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya highlighting the expanding and multifaceted partnership between the two nations.

During the ceremony, the Sri Lanka India Society officially launched its magazine and presented the book “Port of Call” to Prime Minister Amarasuriya and Santosh Jha, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya underscored the depth and breadth of the Sri Lanka–India relationship, noting that the partnership today extends across economic development, energy, connectivity, trade and investment, digital transformation, health, education, maritime security and people-to-people engagement.

She expressed particular satisfaction at the steady growth in tourism ties between the two countries, describing them as a strong pillar of bilateral relations. The Prime Minister also recalled the excitement surrounding the recent India–Pakistan cricket match hosted in Sri Lanka, saying the event brought immense joy to cricket lovers across South Asia and stood out as a special moment for the region. She added that Sri Lanka was honoured to host both teams.

Emphasising Sri Lanka’s forward trajectory, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said the country is moving from recovery towards resilience and a more sustainable future. In that context, she welcomed increased connectivity, stronger investment from Indian businesses and greater tourist flows from India.

She expressed confidence that the partnership between Sri Lanka and India would continue to grow and prosper, further strengthening economic cooperation and deepening longstanding cultural ties between the two neighbours.