High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

A twelve member Parliamentary Delegation led by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, visited Sri Lanka from 16th – 21stApril 2012. The Delegation consisted of MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha nominated by political parties,including the BJD, BJP, CPI(M), INC, JD(U) and SP.

 
The Delegation called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and held extensive discussions with several Cabinet Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, leaders of main political parties including the United National Party, the Tamil National Alliance, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the Ceylon Workers Congress and other up country political parties. The Delegation met a wide cross section of MPs and representatives of civil society as well.
 
Commencing their field visit from the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Menik Farm, the Delegation visited Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Kankasanthurai, Kalutara, Dickona, Hatton, and Batticaloa as well, where Indian government assisted projects including those related to the development of rail and port infrastructure, connectivity and transportation, education, public health, housing, de-mining, vocational training and economic revival, are being implemented.  
 
The visit covered different parts of Sri Lanka including the Northern, Eastern, Western and Central Provinces. In the Central Province, which is home to a substantial Tamil population, the Delegation inspected the housing complexes of Darawela and Vanaraja estates and pledged India's continued assistance to uplift the lives of the plantation community.
 
 
23 April 2012