India, Sri Lanka strengthen maritime ties with IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 in Colombo

April 29, 2026 9:54 PM

India, Sri Lanka strengthen maritime ties with IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 in Colombo

India and Sri Lanka have reaffirmed their growing maritime partnership through the successful conduct of the fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise, IN–SLN DIVEX 2026, held in Colombo from April 21 to 28. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the week-long exercise saw participation from the Indian Navy, including its Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel INS Nireekshak, alongside diving teams from the Sri Lanka Navy. The engagement focused on enhancing operational coordinatio...

T20 World Cup: India and Pakistan set for Sunday blockbuster

February 14, 2026 3:59 PM

T20 World Cup: India and Pakistan set for Sunday blockbuster

India and Pakistan will clash in the Twenty20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday, still feeling the aftershocks of a tumultuous fortnight in which Pakistan's boycott threat - later reversed - nearly blew a hole in the tournament's marquee fixture. Emotions run high whenever the bitter neighbours lock horns in multi-team events at neutral venues. Pakistan decided to boycott the Group A contest against India, jeopardising a lucrative fixture that sits at the intersection of sport, commerce, and geop...

India and Pakistan fans flock to Colombo, windfall for tourism

February 14, 2026 10:57 AM

India and Pakistan fans flock to Colombo, windfall for tourism

Prices of flights and hotel bookings to Colombo, Sri Lanka, have soared as thousands of fans flock to the city to watch India play Pakistan on Sunday in cricket's Twenty20 World Cup. The neighbouring countries and cricket rivals are due to meet during the group stage of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, after Pakistan reversed a decision to boycott the match earlier in the week. The game at Sri Lanka's largest stadium is sold out with roughly 35,000 tickets sold ...

Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha to be exhibited in Sri Lanka from Feb 4

February 2, 2026 7:03 PM

Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha to be exhibited in Sri Lanka from Feb 4

India will showcase the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka from February 4 to 10 as part of a major spiritual and cultural outreach initiative, reinforcing centuries-old civilisational ties between the two countries. The public exposition will be held at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, with the relics returning to India on February 11. The exposition follows the vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025 and reflects India...

Jaishankar’s visit reflects close India–Sri Lanka friendship: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister

December 23, 2025 4:50 PM

Jaishankar’s visit reflects close India–Sri Lanka friendship: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Tuesday said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Colombo is a strong reflection of the close friendship and enduring partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Addressing a joint press interaction with EAM Jaishankar, Herath said the visit also underlined India’s role as a first responder in times of crisis, including through the launch of Operation Sagar Bandhu. Welcoming the External Affairs Minister, the Sri Lankan Foreign M...

India reaffirms commitment to healthy ageing at WHO regional meeting in Colombo

October 16, 2025 8:25 PM

India reaffirms commitment to healthy ageing at WHO regional meeting in Colombo

India has reiterated its commitment to promoting healthy ageing and strengthening primary healthcare systems to support the elderly population at the 78th Session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for South-East Asia, held in Colombo from October 13-15. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Singh Patel represented India at the ministerial roundtable, where discussions focused on the theme “Healthy Ageing through strengthened primary health care.” ...

Sri Lanka President Dissanayake to visit India in his first foreign trip

December 10, 2024 5:24 PM

Sri Lanka President Dissanayake to visit India in his first foreign trip

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 Exte...

INS Mumbai to dock in Colombo for three-day visit

September 16, 2024 3:58 PM

INS Mumbai to dock in Colombo for three-day visit

The Indian Navy’s warship, INS Mumbai, will arrive in Colombo on August 26, for a three-day visit. The Sri Lanka Navy will ceremonially receive the ship. INS Mumbai, commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 22, 2001, is the third of the Delhi-class destroyers and was built at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. The ship recently completed a mid-life upgrade and rejoined the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on December 8, 2023. This marks INS Mumbai’s first visit to a Sri Lankan port a...