The President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Dr. Vinay visited the Temple of the Tooth Relic on the 28th of March, 2023. The President then inaugurated Hindi classes for the theros of Asgiriya and Malwatte Mahapirivenas at a ceremony conducted at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. 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.
The President of the 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. On March 28, he offered prayers at the Seetha Amman Temple in Nuwara Eliya to begin his visit to the Central Province. Mr. Vinod K. Jacob, the deputy high commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Prof. (Dr.) Ankuran Dutta, Dr. Athira S., the assistant high commissioner of India in Kandy, and Mr. P. Somaraj, the second secretary, were with him during his tour. It is during this visitation that Dr. Vinay graced the premises of the Temple of the Tooth Relic.
The assembly was greeted by the honorable Diyawadana Nilame at the opening ceremony. The ICCR President emphasized the significance of this year for India and Sri Lanka’s bilateral relations. Recently, India celebrated its 75th anniversary of independence. Currently, Sri Lanka and India are commemorating their 75th year of diplomatic relations. In addition, the year 2023 will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the SVCC in Colombo and the 100th anniversary of the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy.
He believed that Hindi classes at Sri Dalada Maligawa will improve the intercultural and interpersonal links of people. According to the president of the ICCR, the introduction of Sinhala courses at Indian colleges is also being considered. The President of ICCR gave the young theros books and study materials in Hindi. He also went on a visit to the India Gallery, which was opened in 2013 at the International Buddhist Museum in Sri Dalada Maligawa with Indian support.
The visit of the ICCR President to Sri Lanka would be a significant milestone in advancing and symbolizing the bilateral cultural and diplomatic ties between India and Sri Lanka.
