India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyarathne, jointly launched the second edition of the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) Fest 2026 in Colombo. The event, themed ‘Staying Relevant in a Changing World’, gathered prominent journalists, editors, media professionals, academics, and digital creators from both countries to explore the evolving media landscape.
The High Commissioner also participated in the India–Sri Lanka Trade Connect event, where the FIEO business delegation and leading Sri Lankan business chambers came together. During the event, the FIEO–NCE MoU was exchanged, highlighting the potential for expanding bilateral trade, investment, and business partnerships.
Furthermore, High Commissioner Jha handed over the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to Pradeep Sundaralingam, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. This marked the first issuance of such a card following the recent announcement by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan to simplify the OCI process and extend eligibility to the 5th and 6th generation Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community and Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.
