India - Sri Lanka Foundation

About ISLF 

The India Sri Lanka Foundation was established on December 28, 1998 through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of India and Sri Lanka, with the objective of fostering Indo-Sri Lanka relations through the enhancement of economic, scientific, educational, technical and cultural cooperation and the promotion of greater understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

2. The thrust areas identified by the Foundation for promoting understanding and cooperation are education and culture, archaeological studies, agricultural research, science and technology, health, technical training, development studies and women’s studies.

3. The Foundation is financed through revenues (interest earned) from a Trust Fund set up with grants made available by the two Governments. The interest earned from the investment of the Corpus Fund is used to finance projects.

4. As per the guidelines laid down in the MOU, the revenues from the Fund are used for funding the following activities: 

• financing higher studies, research and other educational activities at institutions of learning located in India and Sri Lanka
• financing visits and exchange of scholars, academics, professionals, artists and experts involved in areas of activity covered by the Foundation
• assisting/financing activities such as seminars, symposia, workshops on subjects of common interest
• extending financial support to NGO’s in India and Sri Lanka whose work facilitates achievement of the objectives of the Foundation
• contributing towards the publication of standard works on India-Sri Lanka Relations in specified fields
• encouraging translation of standard works of Sri Lankan literature into Indian languages and vice versa and arranging for their publication
• adopting any other measure which may be considered necessary for the fulfilment of the objectives of the Foundation

5. The management and direction of the Foundation are vested in a Board of Directors consisting of 6 Directors. The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India are the Co-Chairpersons of the Board. The other four members are nominated by the two Governments.

6. Over the years, the Foundation has made substantial progress in terms of implementing a large variety of projects aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation. ISLF has been funding various projects, especially cultural projects that have not been funded by any other organizations. The Foundation has made a significant impact on strengthening people to people contacts in diverse fields through the various projects funded by it.

The Board of ISLF

Gopal Baglay, Co-Chairperson
High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka

H.E.Mr.Austin Fernando, Co-Chairperson

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India

Mr. Charitha Ratwatte
Senior Advisor to Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka

Mr. Bernard Goonetilleke
Former Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

Ambassador G. Parthasarathy, 
Former IFS Officer 

ACTIVITIES

The thrust areas identified for promoting understanding and cooperation are:

• Education & Culture
• Archeological Studies
• Agricultural Research
• Science & Technology
• Health
• Technical Training
• Developmental Studies
• Women’s Studies

Programmes of the Foundation

• Financing higher studies, research and other education activities at institutes of learning located in India and Sri Lanka.
• Facilitating visits and exchanges between India and Sri Lanka of scholars, academics, professionals, artists and experts involved in areas of activities covered by the Foundation.
• Assisting activities such as seminars, symposia, colloquia and workshops on subjects of common interest.
• Extending financial support to those non-governmental organisations both in India and Sri Lanka whose work facilitates achievement of the objectives of the Foundation.
• Contributing towards publication of standard works on India-Sri Lanka relations in specified fields.
• Encouraging the translations of the standard works of Sri Lankan literature into Indian languages and vice-versa and arranging for their publications.

Over view of Activities

Approved proposals of Colombo Secretariat during Board Meeting 32

Submitting Proposals

Individuals, institutions and groups are invited to approach the Foundation with proposals which meet the stated objectives of the Foundation.

Download the Application  for Financial Assistance. 

Contact US

Secretary/Programme Coordinator,
India-Sri Lanka Foundation
C/o High Commission of India,
No. 36-38, Galle Road,
Colombo 3
Contact Numbers: 011-94-11-2389924 (O), 011-94-11-2327587 (General)
Email: islfcolombo@gmail.com

Invitation for Project proposals