By Srinivas Iyer
Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), visited India under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations’ (ICCR) Distinguished Visitors Programme from 5–12 February 2026. He was accompanied by MPs Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj, Hon. Ilankumaran Karunanathan, JVP Central Committee Member Janaka Adhikari, Media Head Hemathilaka Gamage, and International Relations member Kalpana Madhubhashini. This was Silva’s first visit to India, covering New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Thiruvananthapuram.
In New Delhi, the delegation met External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Deputy National Security Advisor Mr. Pavan Kapoor. India reaffirmed its commitment as a trusted partner under its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’. Discussions focused on mutual growth, social welfare initiatives, and ICCR cultural programmes and scholarships for Sri Lankan students.
The delegation visited the Unique Digital Identity Authority of India, National Disaster Management Authority, Gati Shakthi, and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, gaining insights into India’s digital infrastructure, disaster preparedness, sustainable agriculture, and attended the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha.
In Ahmedabad, meetings with Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi highlighted Gujarat’s inclusive development across dairy, infrastructure, FinTech, tourism, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Visits included AMUL, Tribhuvan Sahkari University, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, i-Create, and Sabarmati Ashram.
In Thiruvananthapuram, the delegation met Kerala Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, toured the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, and India’s first deep-water container transhipment port at Vizhinjam, developed under a Public Private Partnership model.
The visit reflects India’s ongoing engagement with Sri Lanka’s political leaders, reinforcing cultural, technical, and developmental ties between the two nations.
