The High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi hosted a reception on 4 February 2026 to mark the 78th Independence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, bringing together senior officials of the Government of India, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and friends of Sri Lanka. The event served as both a commemoration of Sri Lanka’s national journey since 1948 and a reaffirmation of the deepening and multidimensional India–Sri Lanka partnership.
The celebrations were attended by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who was the Chief Guest, alongside a wide cross-section of resident and non-resident diplomats. Notably, 99 Heads of Mission resident in New Delhi are concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka, underscoring Sri Lanka’s strong international engagement and New Delhi’s role as a global diplomatic hub.
Welcoming the gathering, H.E. Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, remarked that the presence of the diplomatic and official community reflected “the many dimensions of the close and thriving partnership between Sri Lanka and India.” She described the occasion as a moment of reflection as well as forward-looking engagement, as Sri Lanka continues on its path of reform, recovery, and inclusive growth.
Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s post-independence journey, the High Commissioner acknowledged the challenges the country has faced while emphasising resilience and renewal. “Like many nations, Sri Lanka has faced challenges along the way. Yet we have also drawn important lessons, strengthened our resolve, and moved forward with clarity and purpose,” she said. She highlighted ongoing efforts towards economic stabilisation, institutional reform, and the creation of a stable, transparent, and predictable environment for trade and investment, quoting President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka on the importance of ensuring that growth remains inclusive.
A central theme of her address was the civilisational depth of India–Sri Lanka relations, which she described as “ancient and civilisational—older than memory and older than recorded history.” Over centuries, she noted, the relationship has been shaped by cultural, spiritual, and intellectual exchanges across the Palk Strait, and continues to evolve in step with contemporary strategic and economic cooperation.
This perspective was strongly echoed in the address by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, who extended his congratulations to the High Commissioner, the Government, and the people of Sri Lanka.
Highlighting the enduring foundations of bilateral ties, Shri Singh underlined that the relationship between the two countries transcends geography. “The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is rooted not merely in geographical proximity, but in a shared history of culture, religion, and deep civilisational linkages,” he said, noting that these bonds have been enriched by cooperation across a wide range of modern sectors.
High Commissioner Colonne recalled that President Dissanayaka chose India as his first overseas destination in December 2024, issuing a Joint Statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that laid out an ambitious roadmap for cooperation across energy, defence, digital infrastructure, trade, tourism, and people-to-people connectivity. This was followed by Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, the first by a foreign leader after the formation of the new government, during which he was conferred the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana, the country’s highest honour for a foreign leader.
Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh noted that these high-level exchanges have laid a strong foundation for advancing a long-term partnership based on “synergy, complementarity, and mutual benefit.” He also emphasised that India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and the Mahasagar Vision continue to guide New Delhi’s unwavering commitment to Sri Lanka’s prosperity, grounded in the belief that “a stable and prosperous Sri Lanka contributes to regional security and shared growth.”
India’s role as Sri Lanka’s first responder in times of crisis was highlighted by both speakers. Recalling the devastating impact of Cyclone Dinu, which affected all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, High Commissioner Colonne stated that “India has consistently been Sri Lanka’s first responder—not merely in words, but in action,” referring to Operation Sagar Bandhu and the subsequent USD 450 million reconstruction package. Shri Singh similarly noted that India “once again stood firmly with Sri Lanka,” reiterating New Delhi’s swift responses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 economic crisis, and natural disasters.
Economic cooperation and people-to-people ties featured prominently in the celebrations. India remains Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 5.8 billion in FY 2024–25, and Indian investments now accounting for nearly 50 per cent of Sri Lanka’s total foreign investment. Development cooperation between the two countries exceeds USD 7.5 billion, spanning housing, transport, health, education, agriculture, renewable energy, and railways across all provinces of Sri Lanka.
Connectivity has further strengthened bilateral engagement, with nearly 180 weekly flights, including three daily connections between Delhi and Colombo. In 2025, India also remained the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka, with over 500,000 Indian visitors, reinforcing the centrality of people-to-people ties.
Looking to the future, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh outlined opportunities for deeper collaboration in areas such as digital transformation, defence cooperation, healthcare, agriculture, and skills development. Highlighting India’s support for Sri Lanka’s Unique Digital Identity Project, he described digital technology as a powerful driver of inclusive growth. High Commissioner Colonne, in turn, pointed to emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, expressing Sri Lanka’s anticipation of the forthcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, and underscoring Colombo’s commitment to responsible and inclusive technological development in partnership with India.
Cultural diplomacy added a profound dimension to the celebrations. Both of them referred to the ongoing exposition of the Sacred Relics of the Buddha in Colombo from 4 to 11 February, travelling overseas for the first time, as a deeply meaningful gesture that symbolises the enduring spiritual and civilisational bonds between the two nations.
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