High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Remarks by H.E. Mahishini Colonne High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India 78th National Day Reception New Delhi, 6.30 p.m. | 04 February 2026

Honourable Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh
Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change –
and Our Chief Guest this evening,
 
Excellencies,
 
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
 
Officials of the Government of India,
 
Leaders of Business and Industry,
 
Distinguished Guests,
 
Friends from the Media,
 
Friends of Sri Lanka,
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
 
Ayubowan – Vanakkam – Namaskar!
 
It gives me great pleasure to warmly welcome you this evening as we celebrate the 78th National Day of Sri Lanka.
 
Your presence this evening – representing government, diplomacy, business, academia, culture, media and many other fields – reflects the many dimensions of the close and thriving partnership between Sri Lanka and India. My colleagues at the High Commission and I are deeply honoured by your presence.
 
Minister Singh – it is a particular pleasure to have you with us as our Chief Guest. Your presence here, representing the Government of India, reflects the importance India attaches to its relationship with Sri Lanka – a relationship that has rarely been as vibrant or as consequential as it is today. Thank you.
 
I am also delighted to note that we are joined by many members of the diplomatic community, including several who are concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka. Ninety-nine Heads of Mission resident in New Delhi represent their countries in Colombo as well. This reflects Sri Lanka’s strong engagement with the international community, and New Delhi’s important role as a centre of global diplomacy.
 
On the 4th of February 1948, Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, began its journey as a free and sovereign nation. Seventy-eight years on, that journey continues.
 
Like many nations, Sri Lanka has faced challenges. We have also learned important lessons, strengthened our resolve, and moved forward with clarity and purpose – focused on economic stabilisation, institutional reform, and inclusive growth.
 
Sri Lanka today is in a phase of steady economic recovery and reform. We are working to create a stable, transparent, and predictable environment for trade and investment, strengthening governance, and opening new avenues for private-sector participation.
 
In his Message today, President Anura Kumara Disanayaka has emphasised that the progress we achieve must benefit every community.
 
 
Excellencies and Friends,
 
The India – Sri Lanka relationship is ancient and civilizational. It is older than memory, older than recorded history – and far more than a formal diplomatic partnership. It has been shaped over millennia by the movement of peoples, ideas, spiritual traditions, knowledge, languages, stories, and culture across the Palk Strait.
 
This ancient relationship has been renewed and revitalised in recent months.
 
In December 2024 President Anura Kumara Disanayaka chose India as the first country he visited after assuming office. He was warmly received, and together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, issued a Joint Statement setting out a blueprint for partnership across every conceivable field of contemporary relevance – including energy, defence, digital infrastructure, trade, tourism, and people-to-people connectivity.
 
In April 2025, Prime Minister Modi visited Sri Lanka – the first foreign leader to do so after the new government took office. He was received with full state honours at Independence Square, and in a memorable moment, President Disanayaka conferred upon him the “Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana” – our nation’s highest honour for a foreign leader.
 
Seven Agreements were signed during the visit, including on Defence Cooperation – underscoring the growing importance of our security partnership.
 
Just over two months ago, when Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka, affecting all 25 Districts of the country, and thousands of people, India’s response was immediate. On the same day, within hours, India launched Operation “Sagar Bandhu”, and relief, rescue, and emergency medical assistance was immediately mobilised. Within weeks, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Colombo as Prime Minister Modi’s Special Envoy, and announced a 450-million-dollar reconstruction package covering transport, housing, health, eduation, agriculture, and disaster preparedness.
 
India has consistently been Sri Lanka’s first responder – not just in words but in action.
 
India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, largest source of tourists, and a major investor. India’s development cooperation with Sri Lanka now exceeds 7.5 billion US dollars. Indian investment accounts for roughly half of all foreign investment in Sri Lanka. There are around 180 weekly flights between our two countries with 3 flights daily between Delhi and Colombo.
 
We see strong potential for deeper engagement between our business communities through joint ventures, technology partnerships, and value-chain integration.
 
When India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka spoke in Colombo last week at India’s Republic Day Reception, he described India – Sri Lanka relations as a global model of cooperative partnership between neighbours. This is not diplomatic rhetoric. It is a lived reality of the India – Sri Lanka partnership.
 
Today, as Sri Lanka rebuilds and reimagines itself under a new leadership, India stands beside us in friendship and support.
 
This year’s Independence Day celebrations have also been enriched by a deeply meaningful cultural gesture by India – the exposition in Colombo of the sacred Devnimori relics of the Buddha, travelling overseas for the first time. Announced by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka last year, this gesture reflects the timeless civilizational bonds between our two peoples
 
Our partnership today extends into areas shaping the future of our region and our world.
 
In this context, we look forward to the forthcoming AI Impact Summit to be hosted here in New Delhi later this month, bringing together global leaders to explore the responsible and inclusive development of artificial intelligence. Sri Lanka is pleased that our President will participate, underscoring our commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and collaboration with India and the wider international community in emerging technologies.
 
As Sri Lanka marks 78 years of independence, we are proud to walk our onward journey with India – and with friends from across the world – in a spirit of partnership, mutual respect, and shared progress.
 
Let me conclude by thanking:
 
-       The Government of India for its continued friendship and partnership.
 
-       Our Chief Guest for honouring us with his presence. And
 
-       All of you for joining us this evening and for the goodwill you extend to Sri Lanka.
 
 
May the bonds between Sri Lanka and India – at every level and across every avenue – continue to grow in trust, understanding, and shared prosperity.
 
Thank you. Bohoma stuti. Nanri. Bahut Bahut Dhanyavaad.
 
I wish you all a very pleasant evening.