Mahishini Colonne Meets President Murmu In Delhi, Presents Credentials

by Staff Writer 30-07-2025 | 1:48 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne, presented her credentials to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan in New Delhi on 29 July 2025.

The High Commissioner conveyed to President Murmu, the greetings and good wishes of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka.

She recalled the visit of President Disanayaka to India in December 2024 during which the two countries adopted a comprehensive Joint Statement that encompasses areas that concern the growth and prosperity of the two nations, in partnership. She stated that the back-to-back visits of President Disanayaka to India in December 2024, and Prime Minister Modi to Sri Lanka in April 2025, had elevated the partnership between the two countries to a level of excellence. The High Commissioner conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to India for the consistent support extended, especially in times of crisis.

Referring to India being Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, largest source of tourism, and a significant investor, the High Commissioner assured the President of her commitment to work towards further strengthening the multifaceted India – Sri Lanka partnership.

Speaking of the links between the peoples of India and Sri Lanka that are ancient and civilisational, the High Commissioner referred to Odisha (Kalinga) in particular, where President Murmu hails from – a part of India with which Sri Lanka had shared a glorious past. She cited a few instances from history which indicate that several families from Kalinga had travelled to Sri Lanka with Emperor Ashoka’s daughter Sangamitra when she carried a sapling of the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya to Sri Lanka. She also stated that the tooth relic of the Buddha which is enshrined in Kandy had been taken to Sri Lanka by a Prince and Princess from Kalinga.

President Murmu, in her remarks, recalled the visit of President Dissanayaka to India and conveyed her warm greetings to the President. She spoke at length about the strong and growing multifaceted bilateral partnership between the two countries, including the training of civil servants which helps strengthen Sri Lanka’s institutions and governance capabilities.

Stating that India – Sri Lanka relations are underpinned by a combination of historical, cultural, and economic factors, she emphasized that Sri Lanka occupies a key position in India’s Neighborhood First Policy, and Vision MAHASAGAR. She stressed that India is committed to Sri Lanka’s economic growth and recovery.

The President spoke warmly of ties between Odisha and Sri Lanka including linguistic connections stemming from historical interactions. Recalling that the High Commissioner had served in India previously as well, the President said that she believes that the High Commissioner would serve as a bridge to further strengthen relations between the two countries.