High Commissioner gifting TARA handlooms to the Tsunami affected weavers of Sri Lanka

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Mrs. Nirupama Rao today gifted eight TARA (Technology and Action for Rural Advancement) handlooms and accessories to the Tsunami affected weavers of Maruthumunai (Amparai district) and Ollikulam (Batticaloa district) villages of in a simple ceremony held at the High Commission of India. Hon'ble Mr. Jayatissa Ranaweera, Minister of Textile Industry Development & Deputy Minister of Mahaweli Development, senior Government of Sri Lanka officials, representatives of NGOs and weavers from the area were present at the occasion.

The project was initiated by the High Commission of India after extensive travel by H.E. Mrs. Nirupama Rao in the Tsunami affected areas of the country and is a part of India's assistance in Tsunami rehabilitation to Sri Lanka. The High Commission worked with the ASARIM Foundation and other stakeholders including Government of Sri Lanka and NGOs working in the area for the project with the objective of providing traction to a larger programme for the revival of the handloom industry in Eastern Sri Lanka, which has always been well known for handloom weaving especially sari and sarong production. The entire cost of the project was borne by Government of India

It is expected that this handloom project will provide critical support in livelihood and capacity building to the beneficiaries, who would primarily be women from all religions and communities. The project was also supported by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation which sent Mr. P.L. Mutthiah, former Director of Lanka Fabrics Ltd for two-week training in handloom technology at TARA, New Delhi.

TARA loom is an ingenuous machine that incorporates advanced features to improve the efficiency and productivity of the weaver and the quality of the woven fabric with existing levels of operational skills. It is manually operated and is ergonomically designed so that it conforms to the traditional workmanship.

High Commission of India is also committed to undertake more Small Development Projects in Sri Lanka in areas such as technical and vocational training, health and education infrastructure, IT in rural areas, rural roads etc. These projects will be identified and implemented in cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka

^ Top

Remarks by Official Spokesperson on the reported Nuclear Test by DPRK

We are deeply concerned at the reported nuclear test conducted by the DPRK. It is unfortunate that the DPRK has conducted such a test in violation of its international commitments, jeopardising peace, stability and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. The test also highlights the dangers of clandestine proliferation. We are monitoring the situation and are in close touch with several countries.

New Delhi
October 9, 2006

^ Top

Mahatma Gandhi scholarships

At a function organized by the High Commission of India, Colombo on 2nd October, 2006, 100 Sri Lankan students were awarded Mahatma Gandhi scholarships. These students were selected from all the 25 districts of Sri Lanka on the criterion of merit-cum-means on the basis of their performance in 'O' level examinations 2006 as well as interviews jointly conducted by the High Commission of India and Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka. The selected scholars will receive a financial assistance @ Rs. 1500/- per month for a period of two years to enable them to successfully pursue their 'A' level courses.

The event coincided with the 137th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace and non-violence who is described as the 'Father of the Nation' in India and has a strong following in Sri Lanka as well. Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, H.E. Mrs. Nirupama Rao emphasized on relevance and significance of Gandhian philosophy in contemporary era. She highlighted the inspiration provided by the philosophy of 'Ahimsa', non-violence and peace preached by Mahatma Gandhi to several leaders all over the world who struggled and achieved a dignified existence for their people. She expressed hope that this scholarship programme will inspire the young recipients of scholarship to follow the ideals held dear by the Mahatma, and that they will carry forward the message of peace, universal brotherhood and fellow feeling amongst human beings preached by Gandhiji in the days to come.

Deputy Minister of Education Hon'ble Mr. Satchithananthan who graced the occasion thanked the High Commissioner of India and Government of India for taking this initiative to assist and encourage young citizens of Sri Lanka. Education Secretary Mr. Ariyaratne Hewage while highlighting the cultural and social similarities between India and Sri Lanka stated that India is very close to the cultural, social and economic life of Sri Lanka. He quoted several eminent Sri Lankan citizens who had met Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Sri Lanka during pre-independence days and maintained that adherence to the Gandhian principles of peace, harmony, simple life and high ideals will help the country achieve happiness and all round progress.

Mahatma Gandhi scholarship progarmme which was instituted this year will continue in future and every year 100 or more Sri Lankan students will be selected from all the districts of the country for award of scholarships in the name of Mahatma Gandhi. Depending upon their performance, some of these students can also be selected for ICCR scholarships for various under-graduate and post-graduate courses. Presently, Government of India through the High Commission of India, Colombo awards 75 scholarships to Sri Lankan nationals for pursuing under-graduate and post-graduate courses in various reputed institutes and universities in India. Besides, the High Commission of India also awards 5 Commonwealth Scholarships for research and higher studies and 3 Cultural Exchange Programme scholarships again for research and higher studies. Government of India also offers 2 scholarships through the SAARC Secretariat Kathmandu to Sri Lankan students and a SAARC Chair on rotational basis to member countries of SAARC which comes to Sri Lanka on every sixth year. Government of India also extends short term training facilities for Sri Lankan professionals working both in the Government as well as corporate sector under ITEC and SCAAP programmes and Indian Cultural Centre Colombo awards nearly 12 scholarships for Sri Lankan students to pursue studies in the fine arts etc.

^ Top

India allows additional flights to Sri Lankan Airlines

Bilateral Air Services Negotiations between India and Sri Lanka were held on October 9, 2006. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. Ajay Prasad, Secretary, Civil Aviation, Government of India and the Sri Lankan delegation was led by Mr. Tilak Collure, Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Aviation. The negotiations reinforced the special position Sri Lanka enjoys in the aviation sector in India. Sri Lankan Airlines is already the largest foreign airlines operating into India with 86 weekly flights. Sri Lankan Airlines already have the permission to operate daily flights to six Indian metropolitan cities and unlimited frequencies to 18 tourist destinations in India. The 3 Indian carriers - Indian, Jet and Sahara - operate 21 weekly flights to Sri Lanka.

During the negotiations, the Indian side allowed Sri Lankan Airlines 7 additional weekly flights to Mumbai and 7 additional flights to Bangalore with effect from winter 2008. India also allowed 7 weekly flights to Coimbatore and Pune. Sri Lanka has enjoyed "SAARC Plus" privileges in the civil aviation sector in India. During the 13th SAARC Summit at Dhaka in 2005, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh extended to all SAARC countries the same privileges as were extended to Sri Lanka. To continue the special relationship with Sri Lanka, the

Indian delegation agreed for additional flights to Mumbai, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Pune which would further strengthen the presence of Sri Lankan Airlines in the civil aviation map of India.

Mr. Ajay Prasad called on Hon'ble Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ports and Aviation on October 11, 2006. During the meeting, matters of bilateral importance in the field of civil aviation were discussed. Mr. Samaraweera appreciated India's gesture on awarding additional frequencies to Sri Lankan Airlines. He evinced interest in the public-private partnership model followed for the Cochin International Airport. Mr. Prasad informed the Minister about plans for upgradation of aviation infrastructure in India including modernization of the 35 airports in the country. He also elaborated on plans for acquiring new aircraft by Air India and Indian at a cost of US $ 9 billion and a proposed purchase of aircraft by the private sector Indian airlines at a cost of US $ 7 billion. Restarting Sri Lankan Airlines flights to Bodhgaya was also discussed. Mr. Prasad said that as a special gesture, the Indian government permitted Sri Lankan Airlines to extend the Colombo-Bodhgaya flight to Colombo-Bodhgaya-Delhi sector.

^ Top