Work is set to begin on six priority socio-economic projects in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province under Indian grant assistance, the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka announced.
The projects fall under the framework Memorandum of Understanding on “Implementation of Indian Multi-Sectoral Grant Assistance for the Eastern Province,” signed during the April 2025 state visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka. The framework covers 33 projects in total, with combined Indian grant assistance of Rs. 2.37 billion.
The first six initiatives include batik training centres aimed at women’s empowerment, a premature baby unit to strengthen neonatal care, and specialist health facilities for ophthalmology, ENT and mental health services. Other projects cover the establishment of contract farmer clusters to expand seed production, a sustainable Ayurveda village for wellness tourism, and a new ward complex at a central Ayurvedic dispensary.
The agreements were signed between Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Alokabandara during the Sri Lanka visit of Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan in April 2026.
The Eastern Province programme builds on existing Indian-supported development work in housing, healthcare and education across the region. It runs in parallel with the larger bilateral pipeline that includes the Trincomalee energy hub plans and the 145-house plantation handover under earlier Indian grant tranches.
Sources: Newswire.
