February 12, Colombo (LNW): A delegation from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), headed by its General Secretary Tilvin Silva, has held a series of high-level meetings in India aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in tourism, cultural exchange and economic development.
During a visit to Kerala on Wednesday, the group met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to explore avenues for expanding tourism flows between Sri Lanka and the southern Indian state. Discussions also centred on enhancing people-to-people ties and promoting cultural collaboration, reflecting what both sides described as a shared historical and social heritage across the region.
The delegation’s itinerary included tours of the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the strategically significant Vizhinjam International Seaport. The visits offered insight into India’s progress in space technology, maritime infrastructure and the rapidly developing blue economy. Observers noted that such exposure could inform Sri Lanka’s own ambitions in science, port development and ocean-based industries.
In a separate engagement earlier in the week, Mr Silva and his colleagues called on Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. The talks reportedly focused on expanding trade, industrial cooperation and tourism exchanges. Mr Patel expressed confidence that ties between India and Sri Lanka have grown closer in recent years and emphasised the importance of sustaining momentum in regional partnerships.
Mr Silva, for his part, highlighted Gujarat’s structured policy framework and sector-specific development strategies, suggesting that aspects of the model could offer useful lessons for Sri Lanka. He also underlined the potential for joint ventures and institutional collaboration, particularly in manufacturing and infrastructure.
The delegation is understood to have conveyed appreciation for India’s assistance to Sri Lanka during challenging economic periods, including support for key development projects. Encouraging greater tourist arrivals from Indian states such as Kerala and Gujarat to Sri Lanka was also a prominent theme throughout the visit.
Political analysts view the tour as part of a broader effort to reinforce diplomatic engagement at both national and state levels, signalling a pragmatic approach to regional cooperation in South Asia.
