All posts by SLDHC Chennai

Cultural Events, Events

Ayudha Pooja Celebration in Chennai-2025

by SLDHC Chennai

The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai conducted the ‘Ayudha Pooja’ at the Post premise on 29th September 2025.  Ayudha Pooja is a traditional Hindu custom observed across India to pay homage to the tools, instruments, and equipment that people use in their professional and daily lives. During this ceremony, all kinds of tools and equipment, including vehicles, are worshipped as a mark of respect and gratitude. The event also includes the worship of Goddesses Saraswathi, Lakshmi, and Parvathi, symbolizing wisdom, prosperity, and strength respectively.  In keeping with this significant tradition, the Deputy High Commission invited a priest (Ayyar) from a local temple to conduct the Pooja rituals for all official vehicles and office equipment used by the staff of the Post.

Consular

Mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) from 15 October 2025

by SLDHC Chennai

As announced earlier, with effect from 15 October 2025, all those visiting Sri Lanka for
short-stay (tourism and business) purposes are required to obtain the Electronic Travel
Authorization (ETA) through website: eta.gov.lk.

1. As per the reciprocal/bilateral arrangements, passport holders of Seychelles,
Maldives and Singapore shall be exempted from fees.

2. Passport holders of People’s Republic of China, India, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia,
Malaysia and Japan will also receive ETA free of charge as per existing regulations.

3. The stipulated fee will be applicable to passport holder from all countries other than
those listed in Points 1 and 2.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) will take active steps to ensure the
issuance of the ETA in an expeditious manner particularly in view of the oncoming tourist
high season.

Controller General s
Department of Immigration and Emigration

Events, Mission Press Releases, Other Events, Press Release

Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, visited Rela Hospital

by SLDHC Chennai

Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, visited Rela Hospital on 23rd September 2025. The visit commenced with a cordial reception by the International Patient Services (IPS) Team at the Chairman’s Office, followed by interactions with Mr. Mohammed Farouk (Chief Operation’s Officer), Mr. Ramesh Krishnan (Executive Director), Dr. Gomathy Narasimhan (Senior Consultant – Liver, Renal Transplantation & Hepatobiliary Surgery), and the IPS Team. An engaging presentation on Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) was delivered by Dr. Julius Xavier Scott (Director, Department of Paediatric Hemato-Oncology), supported by Dr. Divya Manohar (Clinical Haemato-Oncology Consultant) and his team. The Deputy High Commissioner were also toured the hospital, meeting Dr. Mukul Vij (Director, Clinical Laboratory; Senior Consultant – Histopathology) and Dr. Deepti Sachan (Senior Consultant & Clinical Lead- Transfusion Medicine). A highlight of the visit was the discussion with Prof. Mohamed Rela, exploring possibilities for long-term healthcare collaborations with Sri Lanka, including the establishment of Specialized Transplant Hospitals, particularly for Bone Marrow and Liver Transplant in Sri Lanka.

 

 

 

Events, Other Events

Visit of the Deputy High Commissioner to Vanilla Processing Facility in Pollachi, Coimbatore

by SLDHC Chennai

The Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, visited the Expovan Group of Companies, particularly their vanilla processing facility in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, on 28 August 2025. The purpose of this visit was to initiate discussions on the potential for natural vanilla exports from India to Sri Lanka and to explore the broader opportunities of developing vanilla cultivation in Sri Lanka, drawing on the extensive expertise developed in India. The Chairman of Expovan Group, Dr. Mahendran, has successfully positioned Expovan as a recognized supplier of premium natural vanilla products to global flavour houses, food manufacturers, and retailers. During the visit, the Deputy High Commissioner was briefed on the company’s farming operations, including their vanilla cultivation projects in Sri Lanka, spanning 500 acres and an additional 1,000 acres under development.  The company also expressed their interest in visiting Sri Lanka to further strengthen cooperation and explore new avenues of collaboration.