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Riding the Indian Wave: World’s Fifth Largest Economy on Sri Lanka’s Shores (Pics)
A conference titled ‘Riding the Indian Wave: World’s Fifth Largest Economy on Sri Lanka’s Shores’ was held today (March 27) at ITC Ratnadipa Hotel, Colombo.
This conference was hosted by Verite Research with the support of the High Commission of India, Colombo and Hayleys Advantis.
The day-long conference in its three sessions explored how Sri Lanka can strategically leverage its proximity and connectivity to India – an emerging global economic powerhouse – to enhance exports, attract investments, and drive sustainable economic recovery.
Setting the stage, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, delivered the welcome remarks highlighting how India’s multi-sectoral advancements can contribute to regional prosperity. He underlined the ‘India Opportunity’ for Sri Lanka particularly in areas of technology, logistics and skill development.
This was followed with the keynote address by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment – Arun Hemachandra, who emphasised the special bonds between India and Sri Lanka as a unique strength for Sri Lanka to ride the wave of India’s emergence. Proposing Joint Ventures as the way forward, he identified entrepreneurs and innovators to be leading this shared pathway.
The hybrid conference saw over a hundred participants, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, economic experts, members of think-tanks and media community from Sri Lanka and India.
The conference is another initiative by High Commission of India to encourage and promote conversations at Track 1.5 and Track 2 levels in order to further enrich the canvass of the India-Sri Lanka partnership, engage community on both sides in formulating the future roadmap and enhance mutual trust and goodwill between the people of the two countries.
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SLIMFA Media Fest inaugurated (Pics)
Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and Minister of Mass Media and Health – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, jointly inaugurated the first-ever Media Fest organized by the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) today at Taj Samudra, Colombo.
Under the theme ‘Navigating the New Media Landscape Together,’ the two-day Media Fest from 25-26 April 2025 will explore contemporary media trends and innovations. Key focus areas include AI in journalism, mobile journalism, media monetisation, data journalism, disinformation and fact-checking, content creation and audio journalism. As the first-of-its-kind in Sri Lanka, it will feature keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
The event provides a unique platform for professional development and for fostering collaboration between media professionals from India and Sri Lanka. Experts from India including Ms. Palki Sharma, Managing Editor at Firstpost; Mr. Siddhant Sibal, Assistant Foreign Affairs Editor at WION;Mr. Shailesh Shekhar, Chief Synergy Officer at India Todayand Mr. L.V. Krishnan, CEO of TAM Media Research in collaboration with experts from Sri Lanka will exchange and discuss best practices with the registered participants from the media and business community locally.
SLIMFA, inaugurated in May 2024, under the patronage of the High Commission of India, Colombo is aimed at strengthening media ties between the two countries. Since its inception, the Association has conducted multiple initiatives, including panel discussions and roundtables, focusing on key media-related topics. It is a significant initiative to further bolster the people-to-people connection between the two civilisational twins.
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President makes sudden visit to Kandy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake last night (April 24) conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city to inspect the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address issues related to the provision of facilities and sanitation for devotees visiting the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa”.
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
(President’s Media Division)
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President offers condolences at Vatican Embassy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid a visit to the Vatican Embassy this afternoon (24) to extend his condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Upon his arrival, the President was warmly received by Most Reverend Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Vatican to Sri Lanka.
Following a brief discussion with Archbishop Udaigwe, President Disanayake signed the book of condolence, conveying, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, heartfelt sympathies to the global Christian community on the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis.
(President’s Media Division)
24 schools closed due to “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” to reopen on Monday
Pope Francis laid to rest
