Press release Visit of President of ICCR Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe to Central Province on the occasion of 100 years of establishment of AHCI Kandy (28.03.2023)
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Visit of President of ICCR Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe to Central Province on the occasion of 100 years of establishment of AHCI Kandy (28.03.2023)

Visit of President of ICCR to Sri Lanka : 27-30 March 2023

Assistant High Commission of India Kandy

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PRESS RELEASE

Visit of President of ICCR Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe to Central Province on the occasion of 100 years of establishment of AHCI Kandy (28.03.2023)

      The President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe is on a four (04) days official visit to Sri Lanka from 27th to 30th March, 2023. He started his visit to Central Province by offering prayers at Seetha Amman Temple, Nuwara Eliya on 28th March. During his visit, he was accompanied by Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Mr. Vinod K. Jacob, Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center (SVCC), Colombo, Prof. (Dr.) Ankuran Dutta, Assistant High Commissioner of India, Kandy Dr. Athira S. & Second Secretary Mr. P. Somaraj.

2.   On 28th March, President of ICCR offered prayers at Sri Dalada Maligawa . In a function held at the Sacred Temple of Tooth Relic, President inaugurated Hindi classes for the theros of Asgiriya and Malwatte Mahapirivenas. Mahanayake Thero of Asgiriya chapter Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, Anunayake Thero of Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Anamaduwe Sri Dhammadassi Thero, Lekhadhikari Most Venerable Madagama Dhammananda Thero, senior theros of Asgiriya and Malwatte chapters, Hon’ble Diyawadana Nilame Dr. Pradeep Nilanga Dela and other dignitaries were present.

3.    During the inaugural event, Hon’ble Diyawadana Nilame welcomed the gathering. President of ICCR recalled the importance of current year for India - Sri Lanka bilateral relations. Recently India celebrated 75 years of her Independence, India and Sri Lanka are celebrating the 75 years of diplomatic relations and the year 2023 marks 25 years of establishment of SVCC Colombo & 100 years of establishment of Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy. He opined that Hindi classes at Sri Dalada Maligawa will strengthen the people to people ties and cultural relations. President ICCR stated that initiation of Sinhala classes in Indian universities is under consideration. Hindi books and study materials were distributed to the young theros by the President of ICCR. He also toured the India Gallery launched with Indian assistance in 2013 at the International Buddhist Museum in Sri Dalada Maligawa.

4.    The President of ICCR visited the Kandyan Dancing Academy at Pallekele, built with grant assistance from Government of India. The project underlines GoI’s commitment to preserve and promote Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. President of ICCR was welcomed by Hon’ble Diyawadana Nilame Dr. Pradeep Nilanga Dela. Students of the academy performed various Kandyan dances. He also held a meeting with dignitaries from various cultural fields over lunch.

Completion of First Phase of celebrations marking 100 Years of AHCI Kandy

5.   Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy is completing 100 years of its establishment in year 2023. As a part of the centenary celebrations, various outreach activities are being conducted in seven districts across Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and North-Western Provinces.

6.   AHCI has been conducting free Hindi classes under the banner of Bharatiya Kala Kendra since 2003. Recently, Hindi classes were initiated at Sri Sangarakkitha Maha Pirivena, Giriulla, Kurunegala. Hindi classes are being conducted for around 35 Theros of the Pirivena. Hindi classes are also being conducted at three other Pirivenas, two in Kandy and one in Kegalle. More than 250 students are currently attending Hindi classes conducted by AHCI Kandy. AHCI felicitated the winners of various Hindi competitions during ‘World Hindi Day’ celebration, where Sr. Prof. Upul Ranjith Hewawitanagamage was the Chief Guest.

7.   In January 2023, an MoU for establishment of ICCR Chair of Hindi Language at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) was signed by High Commissioner H.E. Gopal Baglay and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. R.M.U.S.K. Rathnayake. During the event, HC had also announced High Commissioner’s Gold Medal for the best performing student under the newly established ICCR Chair. In March 2023, AHC had handed over portraits of Indian Authors to the SUSL. AHC and VC jointly inaugurated K. Jayathilake Memorial Library at Department of Languages, SUSL.

8.   AHCI had collaborated with University of Peradeniya (UoP) for International Week 2022, the event was inaugurated by Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Vinod K. Jacob. A Panel Discussion on Indian Constitution was also organised in UoP, where DHC Mr. Vinod K. Jacob and Prof. Deepika Udagama, Head of Department of Law, UoP, were the keynote speakers. During the visit of DHC to the Central Province, computers for E-Nanasala of Getambe Rajopawanarama Temple were handed over to the Ven. Keppitiyagoda Srivimala Thero.

9.   On the occasion of International Women’s Day, ‘Walk for Gender Equality’ was organised by AHCI Kandy in association with Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya where women from different walks of life participated.

10.   In addition to the above outreach programmes, AHCI Kandy has organised celebration of Indian and Sri Lankan festivals, Friendship Cricket tournaments & performances of cultural troupes from India.

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Kandy

29 March 2023