By Shrinivas Iyer
A 23-member delegation of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association, led by Sri Lanka’s Health and Mass Media Minister Hon. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, visited India from August 26 to 30. The group included office-bearers, executive committee members from across political parties, and parliamentary staff.
The delegation called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who welcomed the formation of the Friendship Association and stressed the importance of building institutional capacities and exploring new avenues of cooperation. The Sri Lankan side expressed appreciation for India’s consistent support and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.
Dr. Jayatissa also held a bilateral meeting with India’s Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, where both leaders discussed ongoing collaboration in healthcare and identified fresh opportunities in pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and digital health.
During their visit, the delegation explored India’s progress in health and education. They toured AIIMS, the Jan Aushadhi Kendra initiative providing affordable medicines, and edtech major Physics Wallah, gaining insights into India’s innovation-driven and inclusive development models.
To boost commercial linkages, the team participated in a business roundtable organised by FICCI, with discussions focused on expanding trade and investment, particularly in healthcare, technology and allied sectors.
The visitors also attended sessions by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), learning about legislative procedures, committee functioning and governance frameworks.
The visit marks a milestone in the evolving parliamentary partnership between India and Sri Lanka, coming just months after the Association’s formation in May 2025. It underscores the deep democratic values and enduring friendship that continue to guide relations between the two neighbours.
