Two delegations consisting of 43 MPs visit India since May
India has so far arranged 43 members of the current parliament to visit New Delhi. Since the formation of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association in May 2025, two parliamentary delegations visited India-the first group consisting of 20 MPs in late May for an orientation programme and a 23-member delegation of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association in late August.
Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih led the first delegation while Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media led the second.
The text of the Indian HC press release: “Dr. Jayatissa’s delegation comprised office-bearers and executive committee members of the Friendship Association, representing various political parties, along with Parliamentary staff. The visit provided the delegation an opportunity to witness India’s institutional and developmental transformation across key sectors.
The delegation called on the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla. Welcoming the recent formation of the Friendship Association, the Speaker emphasised the importance of building institutional capacities and exploring new areas of collaboration. The visiting delegation conveyed appreciation for India’s consistent and unconditional support to Sri Lanka and reiterated their commitment to advancing bilateral relations between the two countries.
In a separate engagement, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa held a bilateral meeting with Minister of Health and Family Welfare of India Jagat Prakash Nadda discussing ongoing cooperation in the health sector and identified opportunities for further collaboration.
During the visit, the delegation also explored India’s advancements in public health and education. This included visits to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Aushadhi Kendra—a flagship initiative providing affordable essential medicines—and the edtech startup Physics Wallah. These visits offered valuable insights into India’s innovation-led approach in healthcare and education, and its scalable models for inclusive development.
To enhance economic and commercial linkages, the delegation participated in a business roundtable organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The discussion focused on deepening trade and investment ties, with emphasis on cooperation in the areas of pharmaceuticals, healthcare infrastructure, and technology.
Additionally, the delegation attended informative sessions organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) on legislative procedures, committee functioning, governance frameworks, and media engagement.
The visit marked a significant milestone in the evolving parliamentary partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Coming within three months of the formation of the Sri Lanka–India Parliamentary Friendship Association in May 2025, and following the visit of 20 Sri Lankan Members of Parliament for an orientation programme in India earlier that month, this delegation-level visit reinforces the strong democratic ethos and enduring friendship shared between the two nations.”