SLIMFA Media Fest 2026: India's envoy inaugurates second edition in Colombo
Synopsis
India's High Commissioner Santosh Jha had a packed week in Colombo — co-inaugurating the SLIMFA Media Fest 2026, witnessing a landmark FIEO-NCE trade MoU, and handing over the first OCI card issued under India's newly expanded eligibility for 5th and 6th generation Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka. It signals a deliberate, multi-track push to deepen India-Sri Lanka ties across media, trade, and diaspora diplomacy simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne inaugurated the 2nd SLIMFA Media Fest 2026 in Colombo on 11 July 2026 .
The festival's theme was 'Staying Relevant in a Changing World' , uniting media professionals from India and Sri Lanka .
A FIEO–NCE MoU was signed at the India–Sri Lanka Trade Connect event to boost bilateral trade and investment.
Pradeep Sundaralingam , Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Plantation, received the first OCI card issued under the expanded eligibility announced by Vice President C.P.
Radhakrishnan in April 2026 .
The new e-OCI facility allows OCI holders to use a digital card on their mobile phones for entry into India.
India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, on Saturday, 11 July 2026, co-inaugurated the second edition of the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) Media Fest 2026 in Colombo, alongside Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyarathne. The festival, themed 'Staying Relevant in a Changing World', brought together journalists, editors, media professionals, academics, and digital creators from both nations to examine the rapidly shifting media landscape.
About SLIMFA Media Fest 2026
Building on the successful inaugural edition held in 2025, the second SLIMFA Fest expanded its scope to address the convergence of traditional journalism and digital content creation. The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka confirmed the inauguration, noting that the event fostered dialogue on the evolving responsibilities of media practitioners across the two countries. The theme reflects growing global concerns around misinformation, platform dominance, and the sustainability of independent journalism.
India-Sri Lanka Trade Connect Event
Earlier in the week, on Thursday, High Commissioner Jha attended the India–Sri Lanka Trade Connect event, organised by the High Commission. The gathering brought together a Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) business delegation and leading Sri Lankan business chambers. A key outcome was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIEO and the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) of Sri Lanka, aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and business partnerships. Jha described the B2B networking as 'productive' and underscored the 'immense potential' for expanding economic ties.
OCI Card Handed Over to Sri Lankan Deputy Minister
In a significant diplomatic milestone earlier this week, High Commissioner Jha handed over an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to Pradeep Sundaralingam, Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. According to Jha, this was the first OCI card issued following the announcement by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in April 2026 regarding the simplification of the OCI process. The revised policy extends OCI card eligibility to include 5th and 6th generation Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community members and Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.
New e-OCI Facility Explained
Jha also briefed Sundaralingam on the government's newly introduced e-OCI facility, which allows OCI holders to use a digital card on their mobile phones to secure entry into India — streamlining travel for the diaspora. The move is seen as part of a broader effort by New Delhi to deepen people-to-people ties with Sri Lanka, particularly with communities of Indian-origin heritage on the island.
Taken together, this week's engagements — from media diplomacy to trade linkages and diaspora outreach — reflect an active phase in India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations ahead of what observers expect to be a period of intensified economic and cultural cooperation.
Point of View
And doing it publicly through a Sri Lankan deputy minister signals deliberate optics. The FIEO-NCE MoU, meanwhile, is a functional step, but bilateral trade between the two neighbours remains well below its potential. Whether these engagements translate into durable economic and cultural architecture — or remain photo-opportunity diplomacy — will depend on follow-through that rarely makes headlines.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SLIMFA Media Fest 2026?
The Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) Media Fest 2026 is the second edition of a bilateral media festival held in Colombo, bringing together journalists, editors, academics, and digital creators from India and Sri Lanka. The 2026 edition was themed 'Staying Relevant in a Changing World' and was inaugurated on 11 July 2026.
Who inaugurated the SLIMFA Media Fest 2026?
India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyarathne, jointly inaugurated the second edition of SLIMFA Media Fest 2026 in Colombo on 11 July 2026.
What is the new OCI card eligibility change for Sri Lanka?
In April 2026, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan announced an expansion of OCI card eligibility to include 5th and 6th generation Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community members and Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka. This marks a significant broadening of who qualifies for Overseas Citizen of India status in the country.
What is the e-OCI facility introduced by India?
The e-OCI facility is a new digital version of the Overseas Citizen of India card that holders can use on their mobile phones to secure entry into India, replacing the need for a physical card. It is designed to make travel easier for OCI holders, including the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.
What was the outcome of the India-Sri Lanka Trade Connect event?
The India-Sri Lanka Trade Connect event resulted in the signing of an MoU between the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and the National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) of Sri Lanka. The event facilitated B2B networking between an Indian business delegation and leading Sri Lankan business chambers to expand bilateral trade and investment.
