Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan concluded his two-day official visit to Sri Lanka on April 20, 2026, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the island nation. He travelled with a ministerial delegation and Members of Parliament and held substantive meetings with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, focusing on the deep civilisational bonds between India and Sri Lanka and a fresh post-Cyclone Ditwah development cooperation package. The visit produced a clutch of concrete outcomes anchored by the announcement of expanded Overseas Citizen of India eligibility for Indian Origin Tamils up to the sixth generation along with simplified documentation, addressing a long-standing community demand. Sri Lanka formally acceded to the International Big Cat Alliance, an India-led initiative launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2023 for the conservation of seven big cat species. The Vice President virtually inaugurated and handed over the final 145 houses to beneficiaries, marking the completion of Phase III of the Indian Housing Project under which 4,000 houses have been constructed for plantation-estate Tamil workers, taking the total Indian commitment in the housing programme to roughly INR 1,835 crore with 50,000 houses already completed and 10,000 under construction. India also announced a USD 5 million grant for Northern Railway Line restoration, three Bailey bridges, an expanded Council for Educational and Welfare Trust scholarship scheme, an MoU on six priority projects under the Multi-Sectoral Grant Assistance programme for the Eastern Province and an MoU for a four-storey medical ward complex at the District General Hospital in Mullaitivu, alongside an overall USD 450 million post-cyclone assistance package.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan Concludes Sri Lanka Visit on April 20, 2026; OCI Eligibility Extended to Sixth-Generation Indian Origin Tamils, Sri Lanka Accedes to International Big Cat Alliance, Phase III Indian Housing Project Completed
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan concluded his first bilateral visit to Sri Lanka on April 20, 2026, met President Dissanayake and PM Amarasuriya, announced OCI eligibility extension to sixth-generation Indian Origin Tamils, Sri Lankas accession to the International Big Cat Alliance, completion of Phase III of the Indian Housing Project (4,000 houses), and a USD 450 million post-Cyclone Ditwah assistance package including USD 5 million for the Northern Railway Line.
Key facts
- Vice President C P Radhakrishnan concluded his two-day official visit to Sri Lanka on April 20, 2026 — the first bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the island nation.
- He met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo.
- India announced expanded Overseas Citizen of India eligibility for Indian Origin Tamils up to the sixth generation, with simplified documentation.
- Sri Lanka formally acceded to the International Big Cat Alliance, an India-led initiative launched by PM Modi in 2023 for conservation of seven big cat species.
- The Vice President handed over the final 145 houses, completing Phase III of the Indian Housing Project under which 4,000 houses have been constructed for plantation-estate Tamil workers.
- India committed roughly INR 1,835 crore in the broader housing programme with 50,000 houses completed and 10,000 under construction.
- A USD 450 million post-Cyclone Ditwah assistance package was announced, including a USD 5 million grant for Northern Railway Line restoration, three Bailey bridges, an expanded CEWET scholarship scheme and MoUs for the Eastern Province and Mullaitivu hospital.
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Source: Daily FT
Frequently asked questions
Who concluded the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka on April 20, 2026?
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, who travelled with a ministerial delegation and Members of Parliament.
To which generation has Overseas Citizen of India eligibility been extended for Indian Origin Tamils following this visit?
Up to the sixth generation, alongside simplified documentation procedures, addressing a long-standing community demand.
Which India-led conservation initiative did Sri Lanka formally accede to during the visit?
The International Big Cat Alliance, launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2023 for the conservation of seven big cat species.
How many houses were handed over to mark completion of Phase III of the Indian Housing Project in Sri Lanka?
A final 145 houses, completing Phase III under which 4,000 houses have been constructed for plantation-estate Tamil workers.
What is the size of the post-Cyclone Ditwah assistance package India announced for Sri Lanka?
Approximately USD 450 million, including a USD 5 million grant for Northern Railway Line restoration and three Bailey bridges among other components.
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