Hon'ble Minister of External Affairs,, Shri S.M. Krishna inaugurated the Consulate General of India, Hambantota. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka also attended the inauguration. 

Speaking at the inauguration, Hon'ble EAM said that opening of Consulate General of India in Hambantota was reflective of India's desire to strengthen its linkages with a region of Sri Lanka with which India shares deep historical bonds.Hon'ble EAM recalled that during the 2004 tsunami,India, which was impacted itself, was the first to come to Sri Lanka's assistance. Indian Navy ships with food, drinking water and medical attention on board were at Sri Lankan shores within 24 hours, delivering much needed succour to many affected communities who live within a few kilometers of here.

Ho'ble EAM highlighted that India has also taken up the reconstruction of the damaged Southern railway corridor from Galle to Matara and the work was progressing on schedule.

Hon'ble EAM emphasized that His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka himself has plans for developing Hambantota and its environs as a major regional hub. It is therefore, natural that when we decided to open a Consulate in the South, we have opened it in Hambantota. Given the optimism we have of the future of this region, the inauguration of the Consulate General in Hambantota is intended to build on India’s linkages with this region in the field of trade and commerce, investments, culture and tourism. Hon'ble EAM was confident that India will take advantage of the industrial and commercial potential in and around Hambantota and would encourage private sector to participate in Hambantota’s development by seizing the opportunities for investments.

Hon'ble EAM made a special mention of the extraordinary cooperation received from the Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs,and thanked his counterpart Prof. G.L.Peiris of Sri Lanka.