High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Inaugurating an exhibition of photographs titled ‘Buddhist Heritage of Sri Lanka: a shared culture with India’ at the India International Centre in New Delhi on 9 April, Foreign Secretary of India Ranjan Mathai, quoting from a speech made by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during a visit to Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, in 1950, said that the bond of Buddha and all that it conveys is a bond between India and Sri Lanka which nothing can break. 

Contact and interaction between Sri Lanka and India has continued since time immemorial.  Civilisational ties and cultural links between all parts of India and Sri Lanka have been substantial.  Since Independence, both nations have followed an unbroken tradition of democracy.  The Governments of India and Sri Lanka have worked closely to combat terrorism and extremism, safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and the right of all Sri Lankans to live in peace with dignity and justice. 

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam this week visited the State of Orissa now known as Odisha, with a view to exploring and reviving ancient links with Orissa region and Sri Lanka.  

On seeing reports in the media on 7 March 2013 on an incident of alleged firing at Indian fishermen by the Sri Lanka Navy off the Kodiakarai coast, an investigation has been carried out. It was revealed that Sri Lanka Naval vessels had not entered Indian waters at any time either on 6 or 7 March 2013, as alleged. It was further revealed that no Sri Lankan Naval craft had opened fire at any fishing vessel or any other object on 6 or 7 March 2013 in the area.