The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. (Dr) Harini Amarasuriya, an ICCR Alumna graced the 75th Foundation Day of ICCR in Colombo. The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo, joyously commemorated the 75th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in Colombo on May 30, 2025. The event unfolded with a vibrant showcase of Indian – Sri Lankan classical dances and melodious musical performances, painting an exquisite tapestry of cultural harmony and universality.
The Foundation Day of ICCR holds immense significance as it commemorates the establishment of an institution at the forefront of India’s cultural diplomacy, fostering understanding, goodwill, and cooperation between India and the world. It symbolizes the values of diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect, which lie at the heart of ICCR’s endeavours, making it a beacon of cultural exchange and harmony.
While inaugurating the event, the Deputy High Commissioner of India Dr. Satyanjal Pandey congratulated the ICCR family of Sri Lanka on this special occasion of the 75th Foundation Day. In his speech he informed that while ICCR the parent organization has completed 75 years of its glorious existence, the ICCR centre in Sri Lanka, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre under the aegis of High Commission of India has also completed 25 Years. Established as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka, the Centre serves as a hub for cultural exchange, appreciation, and dialogue.
While delivering the address of the Chief Guest, Prime Minister Hon. (Dr) Harini Amarasuriya congratulated ICCR and fondly recalled her formative years as a scholar under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations at Delhi University, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her academic and personal journey. India, the world’s second-largest education hub, is home to 1000+ universities, offering a wide range of courses. ICCR offers over 200 fully-funded scholarships annually for Sri Lankan students to pursue Under Graduate, Post Graduate and doctoral degrees in diverse subjects in more than 120 leading Universities and institutions of India.
A series of brief speeches followed, from distinguished ICCR alumni and academic leaders, including Ms. Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India designate, Professor P.M.C. Thilakarathne, Vice Chancellor, Open University of Sri Lanka, Professor Ven. Dr. Homagama Dhammananda Thero, Vice Chancellor, Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Professor T. Mangaleswaran, Founding Vice Chancellor, Vavuniya University.
The evening continued with cultural performances by renowned India alumnus Dr. Ravibandhu Vidyapathi, Chandana Wickramasinghe, Geeth Premachandra, Veronica Dissanayaka, Ashith Attapathu, Lahiru Gimhana Komangoda, Peshala Manoj and their ensemble, blending classical and contemporary elements in a mesmerising showcase of Indo–Sri Lankan artistic synergy. This event reaffirmed the role of the ICCR and SVCC in nurturing generations of cultural ambassadors, building bridges of understanding, and strengthening the enduring bond between India and Sri Lanka.
ICCR was founded in 1950 by India’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, with the objective of fostering and strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and the world, and to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people. In the past 75 years, the ICCR has been instrumental in promoting India’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage. Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre of the High Commission of India, Colombo is the ICCR centre in Sri Lanka.
