An Interdisciplinary International Seminar
in Hybrid mode on
India and Sri Lanka: Social and Cultural Perspectives

Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbor, situated just 30 nautical miles away. This island nation shares deep historical, social, and cultural ties with India. It is well known that the ‘Ramkatha’ (the story of Rama) holds a unique place in Indian culture. The relationship between the two countries spans more than 2500 years, characterized by a legacy of intellectual, ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic exchange. Buddhism has had a profound presence in Sri Lanka since ancient times, and it is believed to be the birthplace of the Theravada sect of Buddhism.  Today, Sri Lanka is considered a major center for Buddhist education and thought. It is said that the Buddha himself visited Sri Lanka in the 6th century B.C., and it is believed that he visited three places during his journey. The bed he slept on while staying in the Colombo region is now inside the stupa of the Kelaniya Temple near Colombo. The worship of the Buddha has been symbolically expressed through stupas and Bodhi trees. One of the world’s first stupas was built in present-day Anuradhapura, and nearby, a Bodhi tree was planted from a branch of the original tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in India. 

The credit for the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka goes to Ashoka’s son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamitra, who arrived on the island in the middle of the 3rd century B.C. When Mahindra propagated Buddhism in Sri Lanka, he met King Devanampiya Tissa at a place called Mihintale (near the capital, Anuradhapura). Influenced by his teachings and signs, the King and his subjects accepted this faith. Subsequently, King Tissa built pilgrimage sites and monasteries in his capital. Following Mahindra’s instructions, he organized the Thuparama Council so that the holy scriptures could be memorized and taught by local monks.  Gradually, these ties between India and Sri Lanka deepened over time. Since the 1830s, the British began bringing indentured laborers from India, particularly from Tamil Nadu, to Ceylon. The Tamils sent by the British settled in the northern part of Ceylon. Sri Lanka gained independence from the British on February 4, 1948. From 1815 to 1948, Sri Lanka was under British rule. On May 22, 1972, Sri Lanka became a republic and was renamed the Republic of Sri Lanka. The Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed between the governments of India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi on November 29, 1977, forms the foundation for periodic cultural exchange programs between the two countries. 

It is noteworthy that in recent years, bilateral relations and cooperation have increased in the areas of development, trade, investment, education, culture, and defense. Strong political relations between India and Sri Lanka include growth in trade and investment, as well as comprehensive cooperation on major global issues of development, education, culture, defense, and international interest. In recent years, India has made significant contributions to the progress of implementing developmental assistance projects for internally displaced persons and underprivileged sections of the population in Sri Lanka. This has helped in bringing greater depth to the relations between the two countries.  Sri Lanka participates in regional organizations such as BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), where India holds a prominent position. Sri Lanka has also consistently demonstrated a sense of respect for India. Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbor and is strategically located in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka plays a significant role in ensuring regional security, particularly through cooperation in maritime security and counter-terrorism efforts. Cultural and historical ties with India, especially regarding Buddhism, enhance bilateral relations. In accordance with its ‘Neighborhood-First Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine,’ India attaches great importance to Sri Lanka to keep the Indian Ocean region peaceful and secure.  The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by providing classes in Indian music, dance, and Hindi. This center also organizes the International Day of Yoga program every year. The India-Sri Lanka Foundation was established to enhance scientific, technical, educational, and cultural cooperation through civil society exchanges. Shared democratic values and a multi-party system are the strong foundation of democratic dialogue between the two countries. India is a reliable partner in Sri Lanka’s progress and economic stability. Cooperation is rapidly increasing in new areas such as energy, innovation, connectivity, and fintech, thereby strengthening bilateral relations. To nurture the ancient cultural, social, and spiritual relations between India and Sri Lanka, an interdisciplinary international seminar on the theme “India and Sri Lanka: Social and Cultural Perspectives” is being organized at the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Colombo, in which renowned scholars and litterateurs from within the country and abroad will participate.