Vikram Misri meets Sri Lanka leaders, reviews India-backed projects in Colombo

Colombo,UPDATED: Aug 5, 2026 16:42 IST

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday met Sri Lanka's top leadership in Colombo and discussed issues of mutual interest, while reviewing key bilateral projects, including Indian-assisted development work in the island nation. The meetings were part of his day-long visit aimed at further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

Misri called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, met Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and also held talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Aruni Ranaraja. He was also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, as the visit built on regular high-level exchanges between India and Sri Lanka.

According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Misri's discussions with President Dissanayake "focused on issues of mutual interest and review of key bilateral projects, including India-assisted development projects in Sri Lanka". The mission said that after the meeting, both sides exchanged agreements on INR-denominated Lines of Credit for USD 350 million, which form part of the USD 450 million reconstruction package extended by India in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah.

The High Commission said the Lines of Credit "will support reconstruction, infrastructure development, and procurement requirements that arose in the aftermath of the cyclone". During his meeting with Foreign Minister Herath, Misri reviewed ongoing cooperation in key priority areas. In his talks with Ranaraja, he "discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest, and ways to further deepen close bilateral ties", the Indian mission said.

The mission also said Misri reinforced Sri Lanka's central role in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and in advancing Vision MAHASAGAR. Earlier, he was received at the airport by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and senior Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry officials. "Building on regular high-level exchanges between India and Sri Lanka, this visit will reinforce close bilateral ties and strengthen momentum on key initiatives," the Indian High Commission said.

The visit saw India and Sri Lanka review bilateral cooperation, discuss regional and global issues, and move ahead on development and reconstruction support through the exchange of credit agreements linked to Cyclone Ditwah.

With PTI Inputs

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