Sripalee Mela Highlights Enduring India-Sri Lanka Ties
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Synopsis
The 2025 'Sripalee Mela' successfully showcased the vibrant cultural and historical connections between India and Sri Lanka in Horana, reinforcing the importance of people-to-people interactions and mutual respect.
Key Takeaways
- The 'Sripalee Mela' fosters India-Sri Lanka cultural ties.
- High Commissioner Santosh Jha emphasizes historic connections.
- Sripalee College symbolizes India-Sri Lanka collaboration.
- Rabindranath Tagore's legacy influences Sri Lankan culture.
- Leaders stress enhancing cultural and tourism links.
Colombo, Feb 17 (NationPress) The 2025 ‘Sripalee Mela’, which honors the cultural connections and people-to-people interactions between India and Sri Lanka, concluded in Horana, a town located in the Kalutara district of Western Province, Sri Lanka, on Monday.
India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, along with Sri Lankan Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala and former Member of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, attended the festival's closing ceremony as special guests. In his address, High Commissioner Jha emphasized the historic connections between India and Sri Lanka.
“During his remarks, the High Commissioner noted that Sripalee College exemplifies the India-Sri Lanka people-to-people connection. It serves as a beacon of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s vision, fostering creativity and reinforcing the cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka,” stated a post on X by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka.
Sripalee College has a rich history linked to India. The foundation stone was laid by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1934, upon the invitation of Wilmot A. Perera, the college's founder.
Tagore made three visits to Sri Lanka - in 1922, 1928, and 1934 - each leaving a profound influence on Sri Lankan culture. His legacy has significantly shaped Sri Lankan culture, art, music, literature, and education.
The cultural bond, rooted in a strong civilizational and historical connection, stands as one of the most enduring pillars of India-Sri Lanka relations.
In December 2024, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka made his inaugural foreign visit to India after taking office.
During a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was reaffirmed that the India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership is deeply rooted in cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity, and the relationships between our peoples. Both leaders recognized the necessity to enhance cultural and tourism connections between the two nations.
“The people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka are deeply embedded in our civilizations. When India recognized the Pali language as a Classical Language, Sri Lanka joined us in celebrating this milestone,” PM Modi remarked during the meeting.
