by Our Correspondent in Colombo
India has called on Sri Lanka to release all detained Indian fishermen and fishing boats at the earliest, urging that humanitarian considerations should take precedence as both countries continue efforts to resolve their long-standing fisheries dispute through established bilateral mechanisms. The appeal formed a key element of discussions during the official visit of India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Sri Lanka on 05 August 2026, underscoring the continued sensitivity of the issue even as the two neighbours expanded cooperation across a broad strategic and economic agenda.
The visit marked Vikram Misri’s first stand-alone visit to Sri Lanka as Foreign Secretary. He had previously travelled to the island as part of the Indian delegation accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2025 and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in April 2026. His latest visit reflected the continuing momentum in bilateral engagement following a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries over the past two years.
During his visit, the Foreign Secretary called on President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Disanayaka; Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Harini Amarasuriya; and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, Vijitha Herath. He also held discussions with Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, met Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and held separate meetings with leaders of the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community.
Throughout the discussions, Misri reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to Sri Lanka under India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. Both governments undertook what was described as a comprehensive review of ongoing bilateral cooperation, covering development projects, economic collaboration and strategic initiatives designed to deepen the partnership.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with progress on several major reconstruction and development projects, including those implemented under the USD 450 million reconstruction package announced following cyclone Ditwah. Particular attention was given to the conclusion of agreements on two INR-denominated Lines of Credit amounting to USD 250 million for railway projects and USD 100 million for livestock and other priority requirements. The agreements concluded between EXIM Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka were exchanged in the presence of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka by the Secretary to the Treasury of the Government of Sri Lanka and the High Commissioner of India.
Officials also noted that reconstruction of damaged houses and construction of permanent bridges under the Ditwah Reconstruction Package, funded through a USD 100 million grant, will commence shortly. Progress was similarly acknowledged in the supply of medical equipment for the relocated Deniyaya Hospital following the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 13 July 2026, alongside the provision of medical kiosks throughout Sri Lanka and equipment for educational institutions across the island. The two governments are also working towards the earliest possible implementation of an island-wide disaster warning system, while rehabilitation work on the Northern Railway corridor under a USD 5 million grant has been completed, allowing train services to resume.
Economic connectivity and infrastructure remained central themes of the discussions. Both countries reviewed ways to accelerate implementation of major energy initiatives, including the electricity grid interconnection project, the Sampur solar power project and the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub. They also agreed to work towards the earliest conclusion of the tender process for the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity project and directed officials to begin discussions on a Memorandum of Understanding for the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Kankesanthurai harbour project, to be implemented through a USD 61.5 million grant. They further agreed that the Memorandum of Understanding for the proposed expansion of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service, first announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in April 2025, should be concluded at an early date. The two sides also welcomed the successful implementation of the capacity-building initiative announced during that visit, which has trained more than 1,000 Sri Lankan professionals from different sectors during its first year.
The Foreign Secretary also noted recent progress in implementing Phase IV of the Indian Housing Project for Sri Lanka’s plantation community and urged the Sri Lankan authorities to expedite projects benefiting the Indian Origin Tamil community, including the construction of all 10,000 houses announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2017. Both governments additionally welcomed initial discussions held in June on updating the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and the successful conclusion of negotiations on the India-Sri Lanka Social Security Agreement, which is expected to be signed following completion of the necessary internal procedures on both sides.
The fisheries issue, however, received particular prominence during the visit. Misri discussed matters relating to fishermen and formally requested Sri Lanka’s cooperation for the early release of fishermen and boats detained in Sri Lankan custody. He stressed that, while bilateral mechanisms should continue working towards resolving the various issues surrounding the fisheries dispute, “a humanitarian approach keeping in view the livelihood requirements of fishermen should continue to guide our approach.” Alongside the fisheries issue, the Foreign Secretary called upon the Sri Lankan leadership to implement its commitment to hold Provincial Council elections at the earliest and to fully implement the Constitutional provisions of Sri Lanka to meet the aspirations of the Tamil people. He also welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayaka’s assurances contained in the Joint Statement of December 2024 that Sri Lankan territory would not be permitted to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security, stating that this commitment provides a strong foundation for building a comprehensive and mutually beneficial development partnership aimed at advancing the security and prosperity of both countries.
The visit concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to advancing the shared vision outlined by their leaders through the Joint Statement issued during President Anura Kumara Disanayaka’s visit to India in December 2024 and the agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. Collectively, the discussions reflected the breadth of the India-Sri Lanka partnership, encompassing infrastructure, economic integration, social development, regional security and people-to-people ties, while placing renewed diplomatic emphasis on resolving the sensitive fisheries issue through continued dialogue guided by humanitarian considerations.
