Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake is set to embark on his first international trip since assuming office, with a visit to India scheduled from December 15 to 17.
The Sri Lankan government confirmed that during his visit, Dissanayake will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. He will be accompanied by key officials, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando.
The visit follows an invitation extended by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar during his trip to Colombo earlier this year, shortly after the National People’s Power (NPP) party came to power.
During his one-day visit to Colombo on October 4, EAM Jaishankar met President Dissanayake and reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR outlook.
The discussions covered various initiatives, including energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health, and dairy development. These efforts aim to foster economic sustainability and create new revenue streams for Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake acknowledged India’s critical economic support in realizing his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of its people. He highlighted the potential of exporting renewable energy to India, which could reduce production costs and create additional resources. He also recognized the growing contribution of Indian tourists to Sri Lanka’s economy.
President Dissanayake’s upcoming visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties, with key discussions likely focusing on economic cooperation, regional stability, and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka.
