Historic first visit by an Indian Vice President strengthens India–Sri Lanka cooperation and cultural ties.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Vice President of India, visited Sri Lanka from April 19 to 20, 2026, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the country. He arrived in Colombo for a two-day official trip focused on enhancing cooperation and strengthening ties.
During the visit, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan met Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka, at the Presidential Secretariat. Both leaders held detailed discussions on deepening bilateral relations, including development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. They reviewed key initiatives such as the Indian Housing Project and projects under the USD 450 million package aimed at rebuilding areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, particularly benefiting the Indian-origin Tamil community.
He also held talks with Harini Amarasuriya, who hosted a luncheon meeting at Temple Trees in Colombo. The leaders discussed shared civilizational heritage and emphasized the importance of further strengthening people-to-people connections between the two nations.
In addition, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan met Sajith Premadasa and leaders of Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian-origin Tamil parties. These interactions focused on ongoing development efforts and India’s continued support for housing and rehabilitation projects.
As part of the visit, houses built under India’s assistance program were handed over to members of the Tamil community. Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan also received a traditional welcome in Colombo, including a Kandyan dance performance.
The visit highlights Sri Lanka’s importance in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. It follows recent high-level engagements and aims to further strengthen the long-standing relationship built on shared history, cultural values, and strong people-to-people ties.
Source: x.com/VPIndia
