By Mewati Sitaram
The High Commission of India in Colombo hosted a special tourism-focused event titled “India Sri Lanka Tourism Connect: From the Ganges to the Kelani, A Voyage of Friendship & Discovery” on 19 November 2025. The initiative aimed to strengthen tourism linkages between the two neighbouring countries by highlighting analytics, branding and emerging technologies shaping the sector.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, graced the occasion. The gathering brought together leading outbound and inbound tour operators, hospitality leaders and media representatives from Sri Lanka, along with key Indian experts in branding and technology.
A keynote address by Harikishore S., Joint Secretary at India’s Ministry of Tourism, outlined India’s diverse travel offerings and the country’s evolving branding strategy. He also emphasised new opportunities for Sri Lankan travellers to explore luxury, heritage and budget-friendly experiences across India.
Madhya Pradesh emerged as a major attraction during the event, with a high-level delegation led by Dr. Ilayaraja T., Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation. The delegation engaged with Sri Lankan hospitality groups, the Mahabodhi Society and Ramayana artists to deepen cultural and tourism collaboration.
Industry leaders such as MakeMyTrip and Paytm shared insights on traveller behaviour, digital payments and shifting consumer preferences. IIT Madras showcased its advanced augmented and virtual reality applications, offering immersive previews of major Indian destinations.
The event reinforced the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka to enhancing tourism cooperation through technology, better connectivity and the promotion of new and diverse destinations.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
