By Mewati Sitaram
COLOMBO: In a vibrant celebration of cultural diplomacy, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission of India in Colombo, marked the 75th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on May 30, 2025, with a dazzling evening of Indian–Sri Lankan artistic synergy.
Gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. (Dr) Harini Amarasuriya, an ICCR alumna, fondly reflected on her academic journey as a scholarship student at Delhi University. “My time in India deeply shaped my personal and intellectual growth,” she remarked, highlighting India’s contribution as an education hub that continues to foster regional cooperation and friendship.
Established in 1950 by India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, ICCR has played a pivotal role in promoting India’s cultural heritage globally. With over 200 fully funded scholarships offered annually to Sri Lankan students, ICCR has served as a bridge of knowledge, culture, and goodwill between the two nations.
The Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, in his opening remarks, congratulated ICCR and the SVCC on their dual milestone—75 years of ICCR globally and 25 years of its presence in Sri Lanka. “This Centre embodies the spirit of India–Sri Lanka friendship and continues to be a thriving hub for cultural exchange,” he said.
The event featured a rich tapestry of classical and contemporary dance and music, with enthralling performances by renowned ICCR alumni including Dr. Ravibandhu Vidyapathi, Chandana Wickramasinghe, and Veronica Dissanayaka. The showcase exemplified the cultural confluence of the two nations, evoking themes of harmony and shared heritage.
Distinguished speakers such as Ms. Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India-designate, and university leaders like Prof. P.M.C. Thilakarathne and Ven. Dr. Homagama Dhammananda Thero, underlined ICCR’s vital role in cultivating generations of cultural ambassadors and academic leaders.
As the evening unfolded with joy and artistic excellence, it reinforced the ICCR’s mission of fostering mutual respect, inclusivity, and global cultural understanding — values that remain more relevant than ever in a rapidly changing world.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
