The India-Sri Lanka Foundation held its 25th Board Meeting from 2-3 July 2010 in New Delhi Co-Chaired by High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam of Sri Lanka and High Commissioner Ashok Kantha of India. The Board approved a number of proposals and reviewed the progress of projects already implemented.
Following the successful State Visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010, as evidenced from the broad scope of the Joint Declaration issued at the conclusion of the visit, the Board observed that the bilateral relations have now entered a new higher phase. In this context, the Co-Chairs were of the view that the India-Sri Lanka Foundation could play a larger catalytic role to complement the efforts of the Governments.
As new initiatives, the Board decided to sponsor the participation of Indian artists at the annual Kala Pola in Colombo and the participation of writers from the two countries at the Jaipur Literary Festival and Galle Literary Festival. It was also decided that the Foundation will organise an annual India-Sri Lanka Foundation Public Lecture alternatively in New Delhi and in Colombo. Moreover, the Board approved proposals to organise an annual India-Sri Lanka Foundation Seminar and India-Sri Lanka Foundation Distinguished Visitors programme.
The Board agreed that the activities of the Foundation should further reach out to the provinces/states of the two countries. In this regard among other measures, it was agreed that the Foundation would sponsor a school cricket team from Jaffna to visit India. The Board also decided to follow up on the proposed India-Sri Lanka Foundation Fellowship with a view to sponsoring academic studies on subjects that would help promote India Sri Lanka relations in all its aspects.
During the 25th Board Meeting, the members also had the opportunity of meeting a group of beneficiaries of the Foundation assistance. Accordingly, faculty members and students of Sri Venkateshwara College of the University of Delhi who visited Sabaragamuwa University recently, supported by the Foundation, had a very useful interaction with the Board members.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
New Delhi
4 July 2010
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