Indian diplomat Santosh Jha became the first Indian High Commissioner in recent times to undertake a standalone visit to the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
According to the Indian High Commission, Santosh Jha held diverse engagements in the Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts from 6-7 March 2024.
The High Commissioner met the Governor of the Province, Dr. Willie Gamage on March 06, 2024, and highlighted several projects undertaken by the Government of India (GOI) in the region.
The Indian High Commissioner also expressed willingness to carry out more projects for the benefit of the people in the Southern Province through grant assistance as well as investments. The Southern Province Governor thanked the High Commissioner for the Indian Government’s diverse initiatives.
The High Commissioner also paid floral tributes to the bust of Rabindranath Tagore, installed in the auditorium named after Gurudev Tagore at the University of Ruhuna. With a seating capacity of 1500 people, this is the largest auditorium in any Sri Lankan University. It may be recalled this facility, built through Indian grant assistance, was inaugurated in 2018.
During an interactive session with the Vice Chancellor and faculty heads of the University, the High Commissioner expressed interest in closer educational collaborations and conveyed a willingness to further support the University in multiple ways.
The Indian High Commission said India is currently implementing two dedicated housing projects, covering around 50 villages in Galle, Matara and Hambantota Districts. The Indian Government has committed to build 1200 housing units for the homeless, landless and low-income people under these two projects. The Indian High Commissioner visited two villages in Hambantota District to take stock of the progress of these two project sites.
The High Commissioner’s visit to the Southern Province underscored the enduring cultural linkages between India and Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner also sought the blessings of Lord Buddha at the sacred Dondra, Katragama and Tissamaharama Temples and prayed for further strengthening of ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)
