Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has called for Sri Lanka to strengthen its economic ties with India by expanding cooperation in key sectors including pharmaceuticals, technology and renewable energy, moving beyond traditional trade relationships.
Sri Lanka should leverage its relationship with India to build a stronger economic partnership centred on investment, industry and innovation, according to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. Speaking at the "India Calling" business forum organised by the Lanka India Business Association in Colombo, he outlined the government's vision for transforming bilateral economic ties beyond conventional trade measures.
The minister emphasised that Sri Lanka is transitioning away from a dependency-driven model toward a competitive, export-oriented economy built on value creation and productivity. He identified the country's strategic location in the Indian Ocean as a potential advantage for establishing itself as a regional manufacturing and supply hub. Key sectors highlighted for joint ventures and investment include pharmaceuticals, apparel, food processing, renewable energy and technology, where collaborative opportunities exist.
The "India Calling" forum brought together policymakers, investors, economists and business leaders to explore investment prospects and industrial collaboration. Dr. Jayatissa stressed the importance of strengthening manufacturing supply chains and enabling technology transfer between the two nations. He also underscored the need to integrate small and medium-sized enterprises into regional and global value chains, ensuring that economic growth benefits broader sections of society.
The minister cautioned that investors prioritise stability, confidence and clear policy environments over promises alone. He called for forums such as "India Calling" to produce concrete results through actual investments and business partnerships rather than remaining limited to discussions, emphasising that creating an ease-of-doing-business environment remains a core government responsibility.
