In a significant step toward strengthening educational and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) launched a Hindi Language Learning Programme today in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo.
The event was graced by the presence of H.E. Santosh Jha the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka as the Chief Guest, and the Vice Chancellor of KDU, Rear Admiral HGU Dammika Kumara, who jointly inaugurated the programme in the presence of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Brigadier Pradeep Rathnayake, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Sanath Dhammika, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Lakshika Liyanage, Deans of other faculties, Directors, Heads of Departments, Senior Military Officers, members of the faculty, members of the administration, cadets and students.
In his keynote address, the High Commissioner highlighted the cultural and diplomatic importance of language in building bridges of understanding and cooperation between nations. He emphasised that Hindi, spoken by over 600 million people globally, offers students a valuable window into India’s rich literature, media, philosophy, and professional opportunities. The Vice Chancellor expressed KDU’s commitment to providing a holistic educational environment that promotes multilingual competence and intercultural awareness.
It’s noteworthy to mention here that in the first Bharat–Sri Lanka Hindi Sammelan organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in January, 2025, the Open University of Sri Lanka launched the first-ever distance learning Hindi language course in collaboration with the Centre.
The newly launched Hindi programme will be offered as an elective for undergraduate students and will be open to both military and civilian scholars. It is designed to provide foundational language skills, cultural context, and practical applications through a structured curriculum delivered by qualified instructors from India. This initiative also reflects the broader vision of both institutions to enhance people-to-people engagement and mutual learning between Sri Lanka and India through academic cooperation.
