High Commissioner Santosh Jha Opens Sri Lanka-India Media Fest

India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, officially inaugurated the second edition of the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) Fest in Colombo on Saturday. He was joined by Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyarathne, marking a significant step in cultural and professional exchange between the two nations. The festival serves as a platform for media professionals from both countries to collaborate and share best practices in journalism and communication.

During the event, High Commissioner Jha emphasized the crucial role that media plays in shaping public perception and strengthening the historical bonds between India and Sri Lanka. The association aims to foster closer ties by facilitating exchange programs and joint workshops for journalists. This initiative aligns with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, which prioritizes stable and collaborative relationships with immediate maritime and land neighbors like Sri Lanka.

The festival highlights the growing soft-power influence and the importance of people-to-people contact in the South Asian region. By involving high-ranking government officials from both sides, the event underscores the official commitment to maintaining a transparent and friendly media environment. Moving forward, the SLIMFA Fest is expected to lead to more structured collaborations in digital media, broadcasting, and news sharing, benefiting the broader information landscape in both countries.