Colombo, March 19 (NationPress) - Santosh Jha, India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, held a meeting with K D Lal Kantha, Sri Lanka's Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation on Thursday. They explored avenues for collaboration to enhance the use of cost-effective technology aimed at improving farmers' incomes. The discussion also included insights on regional and global developments.

In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka conveyed, "High Commissioner Santosh Jha met with Hon K.D. Lal Kantha, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation. They explored collaboration opportunities to boost productivity, particularly through the adoption of cost-effective technology to increase farmers' incomes. They also reviewed regional and global developments, emphasizing the importance of partnership between India and Sri Lanka."

On the previous day, Santosh Jha and Professor A H M H Abayarathna inaugurated a 240 ft extra-wide Bailey Bridge on the Chilaw–Thoduwawa Road, constructed by the Indian Army as part of India’s USD 450 million post-disaster assistance initiative. This bridge reinstates a crucial coastal connection along the Colombo–Puttalam route.

"Reviving connectivity and restoring livelihoods. High Commissioner Santosh Jha, alongside Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils & Local Government, inaugurated the longest extra-wide Bailey Bridge built by India in Sri Lanka under the Post-Ditwah Indian Assistance Package of USD 450 million," stated the Indian High Commission on X.

"The 240 ft bridge, erected by the Indian Army on the Chilaw–Thoduwawa Road, restores an essential coastal link along the Colombo–Puttalam route," it added.

On March 13, Jha met with Sri Lanka's Minister of Science and Technology, Chrishantha Abeysena, to discuss collaboration opportunities in the fields of science and technology, focusing on establishing institutional frameworks.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, where he expressed gratitude for India’s "exceptional support" during the recent Cyclone Ditwah, which caused significant damage to the island.

"Joined Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi this afternoon for a meeting. I expressed my gratitude for the invitation to the AI Impact Summit 2026. We had extensive discussions on strengthening our historical ties and expanding economic, trade, and cultural cooperation. I also thanked India for its commendable support during the recent Cyclone Ditwah," Dissanayake shared on X.

Describing Sri Lanka as a valued neighbor, PM Modi remarked that the meeting further solidified the enduring friendship between the two nations.