High Commission of India
Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Visit of an Indian Mining Delegation to Sri Lanka

A delegation led by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, comprising representatives from leading Indian public sector mining companies, visited Sri Lanka from 20–22 May 2025 to explore potential collaborations in the mines and minerals sector.

2. During the visit, the delegation called on Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, and held discussions with the Chairpersons of key Sri Lankan mineral sector State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), including Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Ltd., Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd., Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), and Lanka Phosphate Ltd., among others. The delegation also met with the Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI) and other senior government officials.

3. The purpose of the visit was to explore investment and collaboration opportunities, promote technical cooperation in advanced mining technologies, and discuss joint initiatives for value addition in the mineral sector. 

4. The visit builds upon the meeting between Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Hon. Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Government of India, and Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Government of Sri Lanka, held on 15 February 2025 in New Delhi on enhancing cooperation in the minerals sector. Subsequently, a follow-up virtual meeting was convened on 10 March 2025 between the Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, and the Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Government of Sri Lanka.
 
5. The Indian delegation also undertook site visits to key mining locations in Sri Lanka, gaining valuable insights into the operational landscape and exploring areas for future collaboration. 

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Colombo
23 May 2025