Stronger Indo-Sri Lanka cultural relations sought

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda recently met with the President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe to discuss ways and means to further strengthen cultural cooperation between Sri Lanka and India, Moragoda’s New Delhi office said.

Director General of the ICCR Ambassador Dinesh K. Patnaik was also present at the meeting.

Founded in 1950, the ICCR, is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, involved in India’s external cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other countries and their peoples.

“Over the years, a large number of Sri Lankan students have benefited from ICCR scholarships in various academic disciplines. The ICCR offers approximately 200 scholarships to Sri Lanka for undergraduate and post-graduate studies in India annually,” a news release said.

The discussion between Moragoda and Sahasrabuddhe focused on inter alia enhancing the number of scholarships provided by the ICCR to Sri Lanka, compiling of a comprehensive publication on the Buddhist sites throughout India, and jointly celebrating the centenary of the first visit of Rabindranath Tagore to Sri Lanka next year, the release said.

The High Commissioner also requested the President of ICCR to support enhancing Hindi and Sanskrit language capabilities of the higher education institutions in Sri Lanka.

Moragoda also presented a copy of his policy road map “Integrated Country Strategy for Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in India 2021/2023” and a copy of the Hindi version of the booklet “The History of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya”, authored by Anagarika Dharmapala and translated by Hasara Dasuni Hirimuthugoda, to Sahasrabuddhe.

Minister (Administration) of the High Commission, Upul Pushpakumara accompanied Moragoda to the meeting.