A high-level delegation led by India’s Ministry of Mines, comprising representatives from major Indian public sector mining enterprises, visited Sri Lanka from May 20 to 22 to explore investment and collaboration opportunities in the island nation’s mines and minerals sector.
During the three-day visit, the delegation engaged in a series of high-level meetings and site visits aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and fostering joint initiatives in mining technology and mineral value addition.
The delegation called on Sri Lanka’s Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Hon. Sunil Handunneththi, and held extensive discussions with the heads of key State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in the mineral sector. These included Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Ltd., Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd., the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), and Lanka Phosphate Ltd., among others.
The visiting team also met with the Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI) and other senior government officials to further discuss avenues for technical cooperation and potential investments in Sri Lanka’s mineral-rich regions.
This visit follows a meeting between Indian Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey and Minister Handunneththi held in New Delhi on February 15, where both parties expressed mutual interest in deepening collaboration in the mineral resources sector. A follow-up virtual discussion between the secretaries of the respective ministries was subsequently held on March 10, laying the groundwork for the in-person delegation visit.
As part of their itinerary, the Indian delegates also conducted field visits to key mining sites across the country. These site inspections provided firsthand insights into Sri Lanka’s operational mining landscape and highlighted prospective areas for future joint ventures and technological exchange.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to exploring collaborative frameworks that would facilitate sustainable development, promote value-added mineral processing, and generate employment and economic growth.
The visit marks a significant step forward in Indo-Sri Lankan cooperation in the strategic minerals sector, reflecting a shared vision for regional economic integration and resource development.
