During the two-day visit of Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan to Sri Lanka, special attention was focused on expediting several large-scale projects scheduled to be implemented in Sri Lanka under Indian assistance.South Asians & Diaspora

Vice President Radhakrishnan departed for New Delhi with the Indian delegation after concluding a successful two-day official visit to Sri Lanka yesterday (20).

In his official ‘X’ account, the Indian Vice President stated that he had a productive visit to Sri Lanka and outlined the key productive outcomes of the visit.

The OCI eligibility criteria for Indian-origin Tamils (IOTs) has been eased where extension of OCI card eligibility to sixth generation of IOTs has taken place with simplification of procedures and evidentiary requirements that makes the process of acquiring OCI cards easier and easy travelling to India made possible, contributing to stronger people-to-people ties.

A cluster of houses constructed under the Indian Housing Project Phase III were virtually handed over benefitting the plantation workers, particularly IOTs, with proper and quality housing promoting dignity and social inclusion while encouraging goodwill between India and Sri Lanka.

As a part of post-Ditwah rehabilitation package, announcement was made of resumption of train services on the restored Northern Railway Line to restore critical connectivity infrastructure and to improve passenger movement, essential services and logistics.

Installation of three more Bailey bridges under the post-Ditwah rehabilitation package, one in the Central Province (Kandy) and two in the Uva Province, to restore critical infrastructure that was damaged in the cyclone, which would facilitate the movement of people and essential goods.

Announcement was made of the enhancement of Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust Scholarship which provides increased opportunities and increased stipend to the children of estate workers to pursue GCE Advanced Level studies and further higher studies in vocational training institutions and in universities.

This underscores India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and its commitment to the Global South.

Agreement has been reached for cooperation on the first set of six priority projects under the Multi-Sectoral Grant Assistance for the Eastern Province to empower women through establishing of batik training centres; establish a premature baby unit at Base Hospital with focus on reducing neonatal mortality and related complications; construct eye, ENT and mental health units at base hospital; establish contract farmer clusters directly benefitting around 300 OFC seed-producing farmers and over 3,000 cultivators indirectly; establish a sustainable Ayurveda village benefitting local traditional business enterprises and practitioners; and also establish a ward complex at the Central Ayurvedic Dispensary in Gomarankadawala to facilitate inpatient Ayurvedic treatment services.

Agreement has also been made for cooperation for construction of a four-storey medical ward complex at the Mullaitivu District General Hospital to provide facilities for critical medical care without being transferred to distant hospitals.

The Indian Vice President further stated that Sri Lanka joins the International Big Cat Alliance facilitating international cooperation through knowledge sharing, capacity building, technical support and resource mobilisation for conservation of big cats and their habitats.

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding trade and investment with Sri Lanka, while calling on the government to address regulatory unpredictability, bureaucratic barriers and opaque procurement practices that continue to deter American businesses.

Charge D’Affaires Jayne Howell of the US Embassy in Sri Lanka made these remarks at a CEO Forum held recently, outlining Washington’s vision for a deeper economic partnership with Colombo.

Investment climate must improve

Howell acknowledged the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to strengthen the investment climate but said more needed to be done.

She highlighted unpredictable regulations, inconsistent standards and lack of transparency in procurement as key obstacles holding back private capital, including American investment.

“American companies bring world-class tech, innovation, and transparency. They create high-quality jobs and integrate markets into resilient global supply chains. But American investment is disciplined. It flows where contracts are honoured, regulations are predictable, and procurement is transparent,” she said.

Port of Colombo a strategic asset

Howell highlighted the Port of Colombo as a prime example of shared economic interests, describing it as South Asia’s leading container transshipment hub.

She noted that expansion plans would double its capacity to 15 million containers by 2027, strengthening supply chains for American manufacturers and consumers while reinforcing Sri Lanka’s role as a trusted logistics hub at the centre of the Indo-Pacific.

A two-way partnership

Howell was keen to stress that the relationship was not one-sided.

She noted that the United States had been ranked the top destination for foreign direct investment for 13 consecutive years, making it not just a market but a platform for Sri Lankan companies with ambitious growth plans.

She outlined two pathways for Sri Lankan businesses to deepen engagement with the United States — by harnessing American exports including advanced technologies, resilient energy systems and digital infrastructure, and by investing directly in the US through SelectUSA, Washington’s flagship investment promotion initiative.

Embassy commitment

Howell concluded by spelling out the embassy’s commitment to the partnership, saying it would advocate for fair and transparent conditions for American companies, engage constructively with Sri Lankan authorities to remove obstacles, and actively promote two-way trade and investment.

“Rebuilding is not only about restoring what was lost. It is about constructing an economy that is modern, diversified, and grounded in fair and predictable rules,” she said, adding that disciplined reform would position Sri Lanka as a reliable hub at the centre of Indian Ocean trade.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his side has a major plan in place to regain power, declaring that a significant political change would “definitely” take place.

Speaking to the media, Rajapaksa said his camp had already prepared a broad programme for its future political activities.

“We have a big plan to take power. There will definitely be a big change,” he said.

Commenting on this year’s May Day, Rajapaksa said his group would not be holding celebrations.

“We will not celebrate May Day this time. We will be observing sil on that day,” he added, indicating that they would instead engage in religious observances rather than participate in May Day rallies this year.

Ship-tracking data indicates that a crude oil tanker intercepted by the US military in the Indian Ocean made a sharp change of course in the early hours of this morning and is now broadcasting its position around 700km (430 miles) south-east of Sri Lanka.

According to data from MarineTraffic, the crude oil tanker *Tifani*, which has a carrying capacity of nearly 300,000 tonnes, is currently loaded with cargo.

The vessel has been sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and is linked to an Indian shipping company that is also subject to US sanctions over alleged ties to Iran.

Tracking data shows that the tanker departed the Gulf region on April 10 and made a brief stop near Sri Lanka’s southern port of Galle on April 18 before being intercepted by US forces.

It was previously expected to reach its reported destination of Singapore on Sunday, according to MarineTraffic.