New Delhi/Colombo | April 21,2026 | SKY LINK TIMES
VP Radhakrishnan Meets Sri Lankan President:
VP Radhakrishnan met at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Sunday, with both leaders discussing ways to strengthen bilateral and cultural ties.
The meeting took place during the Vice President’s two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the island nation. The visit highlights growing diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours.
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Focus on Neighbourhood First Policy
During the meeting, Radhakrishnan reiterated India’s commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy, emphasising stronger cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
According to , the discussions were “productive” and focused on deepening multifaceted ties rooted in shared history and cultural values.
Development Projects Take Centre Stage
The talks also covered key development initiatives supported by India in Sri Lanka. These include the Indian Housing Project and projects under a USD 450 million assistance package aimed at rebuilding areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
Under the housing initiative, India has been assisting in constructing homes for Tamil communities. With the third phase nearing completion, around 50,000 houses have been built, while an additional 10,000 are under development in the fourth phase.
Strengthening People-to-People Ties
The Vice President’s visit also focuses on enhancing people-to-people connections. He is scheduled to meet Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and engage with leaders of the Indian-origin Tamil community, especially from the Northern and Eastern regions.
Radhakrishnan will also address members of the Indian diaspora in Colombo and virtually hand over houses to beneficiaries under the housing project.
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Cultural Welcome and Regional Engagement
Upon arrival in Colombo, the Vice President received a traditional welcome, including a Kandyan dance performance, reflecting the deep cultural bonds between the two nations.
On Monday, he will visit Nuwara Eliya to inspect project sites and interact with local communities. Indian-origin Tamilians form a significant part of Sri Lanka’s population, numbering approximately 1.6 million.
Growing Momentum in Bilateral Relations
The visit comes amid a series of recent high-level exchanges between the two countries, including President Dissanayake’s visit to India in February and Prime Minister Amarasuriya’s trip in October 2025.
These engagements are expected to further strengthen the long-standing civilisational ties and deepen cooperation between India and Sri Lanka across multiple sectors.
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