(Lanka-e-News -27.Jan.2026, 11.20 PM) High Commission of India, Colombo celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day in Colombo on 26 January 2026. It may be recalled that it was on 26 January 1950 that the Indian Constitution-world's longest written Constitution-entered into force. The Preamble to the Constitution declares India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic.
On the occasion, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Santosh Jha unfurled India’s national flag at India House– residence of High Commissioner of India– and inspected the Guard of Honour. High Commissioner also read out excerpts from President of India's Republic Day address.
On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India, a ceremonial reception will be organized in the evening at India House. Several dignitaries from all walks of life in Sri Lanka are expected to attend this event.
This is the speech by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Santosh Jha at the evening reception on the occasion of 77th Republic Day of India on 26 January 2026 at India House, Colombo.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening, Namaskar, Ayubowan, Vanakkam!
Let me first warmly welcome you to the India House for our 77th Republic Day celebrations.
My heartfelt gratitude to every one for joining us today. Your presence and your support are a source of strength for us. It encourages us more than anything else, to work towards building a deeper partnership. On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, let me thank you for your friendship and partnership.
On this day, 76 years ago, the people of India adopted our Constitution. Since then, we have emerged as the largest democracy and the fastest growing major economy in the world.
Friends,
The two themes of this year’s Republic Day are Vande Mataram and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Vande Mataram celebrates the ideas of स्वतंत्रता or Independence; and Atmanirbhar Bharat drives our aspiration for समृद्धि or Prosperity.
Vande Matram is India’s National Song. We are commemorating 150 years of its composition. It was the rallying cry of freedom fighters during India’s freedom struggle. It is an expression of our pride in Mother India and serves as an inspiration even today.
Atmanirbhar Bharat is more about our future endeavours to build a self-reliant India. It does not signify isolation. Instead, it is an aspiration for rapid but resilient growth. It is about building capabilities at home to become a more dependable partner globally. To relaise this vision, in 2025, we have initiated a number of reforms cutting across sectors - from taxation to labour; from space and defence to nuclear sectors; from infrastructure to manufacturing, and from FDI to FTAs. Reform also includes continuing efforts to reduce compliance requirements and improving the ease of doing business in India. Economists suggest that India is perhaps in its Goldilocks moment, with steady growth, falling unemployment and easing inflation. Not surprising then, India became the fourth largest economy in 2025. And we are poised to become the third largest before the end of this decade.
India’s rise is accompanied by enhanced sense of responsibility to be a dependable partner globally. Our goal of Viksit Bharat or developed India goes hand in hand with our vision to be a Vishwa Mitra or a friend for the world. In our neighbourhood, this approach is reflected in our MAHASAGAR and Neighbourhood First policies.
Friends,
Sri Lanka has a special place in this foreign policy vision. Our unbreakable bond is underpinned by our civilisational linkages and geographical proximity. Today, we enjoy exceptional levels of trust, goodwill and friendship - not just between our leaders but also between our peoples. India-Sri Lanka relations have emerged as a global model for cooperative partnership between neighbours.
The visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka in April 2025 and earlier by President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to India in December 2024 has charted an ambitious roadmap for this partnership. Physical, Digital and Energy connectivity are agreed as key pillars of our partnership. Shared aspirations for development and shared commitment to security have emerged as key goals.
Over the last year, we have worked strenuously to realise these shared objectives. Construction of the Sampur Solar Power project has already been launched. We have made significant progress on grid inter-connection. Talks are ongoing on the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub between India, Sri Lanka and the UAE.
India is also supporting modernization of physical infrastructure. The upgraded railway track with modern signaling system on Maho-Omanthai railway line is under implementation. In the past decade or so, India has helped rebuild or restore about 500 KMs of railway line; and installed about 400 KMs of signaling systems. The project for modernization of Kankesanthurai Port is expected to be launched soon. The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai is now a regular feature. We are now working to restore ferry links between Rameswaram and Talaimannar. In the aviation sector, there are around 180 weekly flights between India and Sri Lanka. Last year, Trichy was added as the second destination after Chennai, with flight connectivity to Jaffna.
Digitization is a key focus area of our partnership. Sri Lanka’s digitization journey is poised for a take-off with progress in implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project. This will enable unfolding the entire stack of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s aspiration to build a cashless system is supported by the introduction of UPI payment system in Sri Lanka.
We are also working towards making our partnership future-ready. Last year, we have made forays into newer domains of technology, including Artificial Intelligence. Our startups and Venture Capitalists are cooperating to support building a modern innovation ecosystem in Sri Lanka.
Our broader economic cooperation also continues to flourish. In 2025, India retained its place as the largest source of tourists coming into Sri Lanka. Last year, India cemented its place as the second largest destination for Sri Lanka’s exports. We also remained Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner. Indian investments have also maintained a rising trend, accounting for about 50% of total investments into Sri Lanka in 2025.
As aspirational societies, development cooperation is key to our success in achieving an inclusive and prosperous future. Our development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at over 7.5 billion US dollars, including grants of over 850 million. Our development partnership extends to all 25 districts in Sri Lanka. We are working on people-centric projects bringing benefits to those who need them the most. Over the last year, we have also expanded our training and capacity building efforts for Sri Lankans across different domains. From Members of Parliament to local government representatives; from senior officials, to auditors and judicial officers; from media professionals to craftsmen and dairy farmers; specialists from every sector are benefiting from this initiative.
Friends,
I have often said that India is Sri Lanka’s most reliable and dependable partner. India was once again Sri Lanka’s first responder during Cyclone Ditwah. We launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on the same day the cyclone hit Sri Lanka. Our naval ships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri, which were on a visit to Colombo, immediately provided aid and helped with rescue operations.
Later, we delivered over 1100 tons of essential relief material. We also provided 14.5 tons of medicines and medical equipment. About 60 tons of equipment were also delivered. We also airlifted 228 tonnes of Bailey Bridges units to help restore connectivity. Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Airforce and a contingent of National Disaster Response Force supported rescue and relief efforts. The Indian Army set up a field hospital near Kandy, giving emergency care to about 8000 people. Two modular BHISHM emergency medical care units were also airlifted to Sri Lanka and utilized in the worst affected districts. Overall, our response was swift, spontaneous and comprehensive. It was unconditional driven by the spirit of good neighbourliness and a sense of responsibility.
Immediately after Ditwah, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka, as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy, to express our solidarity and to announce an assistance package of over 450 million USD. The package is meant to support Sri Lanka’s Rebuilding Sri Lanka Initiative post-Ditwah. It covers five broad sectors:
rehabilitation and restoration of road, railway and bridge connectivity;
rebuilding housing and water supply;
support for health and education;
support for agriculture and livestock; and
working towards better disaster response and preparedness.
We are aware that the utility of this package lies in its execution and impact. We are working closely with the government of Sri Lanka to ensure timely implementation. I am happy to report that delivery on the ground has already begun. In particular the more urgent tasks of restoring bridges and railway lines; and relocating houses and hospitals have already begun. Discussions have also been held to enhance Sri Lanka’s preparedness to deal with future natural disasters.
Friends,
The importance of our security and defence cooperation cannot be overstated, especially as we are located in such proximate geography. This manifests when we collaborate to crack-down on transnational criminal networks and illegal activities in our neighbourhood. It also manifests in our joint endeavours to ensure maritime security. It is increasingly felt when we have to address man-made or natural disasters, as was evident, most recently, during cyclone Ditwah. It has also been useful in augmenting Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities through supply of platforms, training programmes and joint exercises, including those aimed at building Sri Lanka’s capabilities on disaster mitigation and relief and rehabilitation.
Before I conclude, I must mention our natural people-to-people connect, which, in my opinion, is the most special aspect of our relations. Cricket or cuisine, yoga or ayurveda, dance or music, our passion for them is a shared one; just as our history, languages, culture and faiths are. Whether it is Ramayana trail or Buddhism trail it speaks of our age-old connect that is only getting deeper in modern times. Early next month, when Devni Mori relics of Buddha will be on display at the Gangaramaya Temple, it will reaffirm this unique nature of our relationship, which has been built through centuries of exchanges and interactions. This makes our relations unlike any other. Let us agree to work with this flow of our history to build a future of shared prosperity and well-being. I look forward to your support and cooperation in this joint endeavour.
Jai Hind. Jai India-Sri Lanka Maitri!
Thank You. Bahut Bahut Dhanyavad. Bohoma Stuti. Nandri.
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by (2026-01-27 19:51:30)
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