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Press Releases - June 2007

India's Assistance in Setting Up Nanasalas in Sri Lanka

His Excellency High Commissioner of India, Shri Alok Prasad inaugurated the first of the 20 Nanasala that the Government of India is financing at a cost of SL Rs. 13 million. H.E. Mr. Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Irrigation, Water Management, Ports and Aviation was the Chief Guest and Mr. Lalit Weeratunga, Secretary to the President also participated in the inauguration. The 20 Nanasalas have been carefully selected so that most of the districts in the Island benefit from project.

The financial assistance provided by India in establishing these Nanasalas underscores the commitment of Government of India to be a partner in the development process in Sri Lanka. This is part of our help in assisting the Human Resource Development in Sri Lanka. Government of India has instituted various scholarship and training programmes to strengthen the Human Resource pool in Sri Lanka. Following are some of the assistance programmes Government is providing to Sri Lanka: Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship Scheme was launched last year and 100 Sri Lankan students who are studying 'A' level were awarded these scholarships. Another group of 100 students who joined 'A' level in 2007 are being selected for the scholarship. In association with the Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka, the students were selected from all the 25 districts of Sri Lanka on means-cum-merit basis. The selected scholars will receive financial assistance of Rs. 1500/- per month for a period of two years to enable them to pursue their 'A' level courses.

The High Commission of India also awards 75 Indian Council for Cultural Relations Scholarships to Sri Lankan nationals for pursuing under-graduate and post-graduate courses in various reputed institutes and universities in India. Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo awards 12 scholarships to Sri Lankan students to follow under graduate courses in music, dance and fine arts. In addition to this, through schemes of technical cooperation under ITEC, BIMSTEC and Colombo Plan the Government of India provides 150 scholarships each year for pursuing professional short & medium courses in India. To assist in capacity building in agriculture, there are training programmes, scholarships, research projects and exchange of visits of farmers. 16 MSc and 21 PhD Scholarship at Indian Agricultural Research Institutions have been made available to Sri Lankan students.

June 30th, 2007

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Indian Films at the Buddist Film Festival 2007

For the Buddhist Film Festival 2007 to commemorate the end of the 2550th Birth Anniversary year of Lord Buddha, Government of India has proudly contributed two films, Light of Asia and Amrapali to be screened in Colombo.

The film "The Light of Asia" is a silent film and depicts many incidents from the life of Buddha, drawing from legends and poems. The film was path breaking in its cinematic structure, its camera work and technique. It was also a very successful film of its time.

The second film "Amrapali" shows the transformation of Ajatashatru, a king of ancient India, through the Buddhist message of peace and non-violence. Amarapali depicts the refuge that Buddhism provides to troubled souls disturbed by strife and violence. It also has memorable song and dance numbers.

The film Amarapali will be screened at Elphinstone Theatre on 18th June, 2007.

June 15th, 2007

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Gifting of books to the Jaffna Public Library and the Medical Faculty of Jaffna University of Sri lanka

At a simple ceremony at the Indian Cultural Centre on 14th June 2007, His Excellency, Mr. Alok Prasad, High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka, presented books worth SLR8 Lakhs on subjects ranging from Tamil classics, Modern literature, culture, Indian Philosophy and music to economic history , social and physical sciences, management, agriculture and industry in Tamil and English languages to the Jaffna Public Library and books worth SLR 1.27 Lakhs on medicine to the medical faculty of Jaffna University, Sri Lanka.

The Jaffna Public Library is an important treasure house of knowledge and learning for Jaffna. Over the past few years, the High Commission of India has gifted books worth SLR 12.5 Lakhs to this great library. The presentation of today is in addition to the books that have been gifted earlier.

The High Commission of India in Colombo is also committed to supporting the University of Jaffna in diverse ways.

June 14, 2007

For further details, please contact Smt. Nagma M.Mallick, Counsellor(PIC) at Tel:2445858, Fax:2446403, Email: cpic@sltnet.lk.

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