Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan began a two-day official visit to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on April 19, 2026, marking the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the island nation. He was received by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in Colombo and called on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka the same day. Discussions covered development cooperation, economic and political relations, energy collaboration and a sustainable resolution of the long-standing fisheries issue. A series of Memoranda of Understanding were signed on April 19, including an MoU for the construction of a four-storey medical ward complex at the District General Hospital in Mullaitivu, six MoUs for priority projects under India's Multi-Sectoral Grant Assistance for the Eastern Province, and a package supporting post-Ditwah reconstruction. The Vice President also announced an extension of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card eligibility to include 5th and 6th generation persons of Indian origin among the Indian-Origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka, raising the existing 4th-generation cap. The visit followed the 2024 India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement titled "Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future". On April 20, Shri Radhakrishnan travelled to Nuwara Eliya, visited the Indian Housing Project sites and interacted with the Tamil community, who thanked India for its humanitarian assistance during the 2024-25 Ditwah cyclone reconstruction.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan Begins First-Ever Bilateral Visit by an Indian VP to Sri Lanka on April 19, 2026; Calls on President Disanayaka, Signs MoUs Including Mullaitivu Hospital Block and Six Eastern Province Projects, Extends OCI to 5th and 6th Generation Indian-Origin Tamils
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan began the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian VP to Sri Lanka on April 19, 2026. He met President Disanayaka, signed MoUs for a Mullaitivu hospital block and six Eastern Province projects, and announced extension of OCI eligibility to 5th and 6th generation Indian-Origin Tamils. The visit followed the 2024 India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement titled "Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future".
Key facts
- Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan undertook a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka beginning April 19, 2026 — the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian VP to Sri Lanka.
- He called on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka in Colombo on April 19; talks covered development cooperation, energy, fisheries and economic ties.
- MoU signed for construction of a four-storey medical ward complex at the District General Hospital, Mullaitivu in the Northern Province.
- Six MoUs signed for priority projects under India's Multi-Sectoral Grant Assistance for the Eastern Province.
- Reconstruction package finalised for areas hit by the 2024-25 Ditwah cyclone.
- OCI card eligibility extended to 5th and 6th generation Indian-Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka, beyond the existing 4th-generation cap.
- Both sides re-affirmed the 2024 Joint Vision titled "Promoting Partnership for Shared Future".
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Whose visit to Sri Lanka starting on April 19, 2026 is officially described as the first ever bilateral visit by a Vice President of India to that country?
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the current Vice President of India, undertook a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka beginning April 19, 2026; the official High Commission/MEA release described it as the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka. He met President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and signed multiple MoUs covering health infrastructure in Mullaitivu and priority projects in the Eastern Province.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
Why is the April 19, 2026 Sri Lanka visit historic?
It is the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka.
Whom did the Vice President meet on April 19, 2026?
President Anura Kumara Disanayaka in Colombo, after being received by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
Which key MoU was signed for the Northern Province?
An MoU for construction of a four-storey medical ward complex at the District General Hospital in Mullaitivu.
What major diaspora policy change did the VP announce?
Extension of OCI card eligibility to 5th and 6th generation Indian-Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka, beyond the existing 4th-generation cap.
Which broader bilateral framework was re-affirmed during the visit?
The 2024 "Promoting Partnership for Shared Future" Joint Vision agreed between India and Sri Lanka.
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