Sri Lankan MP Delegation in Odisha for Indian Republic Day 📈

A multi-party delegation of Sri Lankan MPs is currently in Odisha, India, to participate in the 77th Indian Republic Day celebrations. The visit follows a high-level discussion with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, underscoring strengthening bilateral ties. • Delegation Profile The group is led by SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa and includes representatives from both the SLPP and SJB. Key members include MPs Chitral Fernando, Chamindrani Kiriella, and Chathura Galappaththi, reflecting rare cross-party participation in regional diplomatic engagements. • Key Objectives & Sector Focus Disaster Management: The delegation will conduct an observation tour of the Odisha Disaster Management Centre. As Odisha is globally recognized for its resilience models, this visit aims to facilitate knowledge transfer crucial for Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and infrastructure safety. Cultural Tourism: A tour of Buddhist antiquities from the King Asoka era is scheduled to promote religious tourism and heritage connectivity between the two nations. • Economic Context This engagement aligns with India’s role as Sri Lanka’s leading partner in trade and investment. Recent data indicates Indian companies account for approximately 40-50% of Sri Lanka's FDI inflows, with ongoing collaborations in ICT/BPM and port infrastructure modernization. _Note: This summary is based on reports available as of January 26, 2026._