India and Sri Lanka sign MoU for Sri Dalada Maligawa training school

India and Sri Lanka this week signed an MoU to establish a training school for Sri Dalada Maligawa (SDM) at Pallekele, Kandy. The MoU was signed at the Ministry of Buddhasasana of Sri Lanka, by High Commissioner of India, Y.K. Sinha, and Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Wasantha Ekanayaka.

On a request from SDM, the Government of India (GoI) is undertaking this project to provide necessary infrastructure to facilitate training courses in Kandyan dance and drums, costumes, ornaments and musical instruments, lacquer painting, preservation of ancient paintings and frescoes, mahout training, and sculpting, a news release from the Indian High Commission (IHC) said.

The project entails construction of a training school building, multipurpose hall, and supply of furniture, office equipment and other equipment at a cost of SLR 120 million. The IHC, in consultation with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, will float a tender to select contractor/s.

The project to support SDM is yet another manifestation of the continued commitment of the GoI to enhance the strong religious and cultural links that bind our two countries and people.

Earlier in 2010, the GoI installed a 16 feet idol of Lord Buddha at the entrance of the International Buddhist Museum (IBM) complex in SDM, Kandy. In 2013, an Indian Gallery that encapsulates the origins of Buddhism in India and its peaceful spread to other parts of Asia and the world, was set up at the IBM complex under Indian grant assistance.

Also present at the ceremony were Acting Minister of Buddhasasana, H.R. Sarathi Dushmantha and Diyawadana Nilame, SDM, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Director General (South Asia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, M.A.K. Girihagama, Assistant High Commissioner of India in Kandy, Ms. Radha Venkataraman, and officials of the Ministry of Buddhasasana.