News
Prime Minister chief guest at 75th Anniversary of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
The 75th anniversary celebration of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, was held on May 30 at the Taj Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The Prime Minister addressing the event said
“As a recipient of an ICCR scholarship, the academic experience I received in India had a significant impact on my life. It was not merely structured education, it was a valuable opportunity to understand the depth and diversity of Indian etiquette, culture, and intellectual traditions. Moreover, the cultural relationship between Sri Lanka and India is deeply rooted.
The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) established in Colombo in 1998, has created a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, cooperation, and friendship between the two nations. Organizing over 300 cultural events annually including exhibitions, dance and music performances, conferences, yoga and Ayurveda sessions, and literary programs, this Centre plays a timely and vital role in strengthening the good relations between the two nations.
In just the past two years, six Sri Lankan cultural troupes have been invited to perform in India. These exchanges powerfully illustrate how cultural diplomacy can transcend borders and politics, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
I take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the scholarships provided to Sri Lankan students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies in India. Notably, the Nehru Memorial, Rajiv Gandhi, Maulana Azad, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Commonwealth), AYUSH, and Lata Mangeshkar scholarships stand out as some of the most prestigious and impactful scholarship programs.
More than 400 university professors in Sri Lanka (from fields including Ayurveda, humanities, and the arts) are alumni of ICCR, which is a strong testament to the importance of this relationship. Renowned artists such as Ananda Samarakoon, Nanda Malini, and Pradeep Ratnayake have also been part of this connection.
The ties between Sri Lanka and India are deeply intertwined through customs, history, religion, language, and culture and the architectural and artistic traditions shared by both nations has formed the foundation for continued cooperation in the past, present, and future.”
The president Anura Kumara Dissanayake participated in the ICCR’s Distinguished Visitors Program in India in February 2024. During the visit, discussions were held with senior Indian officials, including Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing regional cooperation. Moreover, president Dissanayake showed particular interest in India’s state-level IT sector in Kerala and the cooperative model in Gujarat during his visit.
This event was attended by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, along with other distinguished guests, vice chancellors, deans, students studying Indian languages and performing arts.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
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Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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