General

The Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy was established in 1923 as the Office of the Agent of the Government of India with the objective of looking after the welfare of the Indian labour which were brought by the British to work at the tea, coffee and rubber plantations set up in upcountry region. The consular jurisdiction of the AHCI, Kandy extends to Central Province (Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Matale Districts), Sabaragamuwa Province (Ratnapura and Kegalle Districts), Badulla District of Uva Province and Kurunegala District of the North Western Province.

There is no other foreign Diplomatic Post in Kandy. The British Council and Alliance Française have branches in Kandy. Kandy is 115 Kms from Colombo.

There are about one million persons of Indian origin in the jurisdiction of AHCI, Kandy. Most of them are still working in plantations. Some are traders and teachers also. A few have progressed to set up manufacturing units and large business houses. According to rough estimates, the persons of Indian origin, commonly called Indian Tamils constitute 7% of Sri Lankan population and a majority of them are residing in the consular jurisdiction of AHCI, Kandy. Approximately 6029 OCI cards have been issued to persons of Indian origin by AHCI Kandy. AHCI, Kandy issues about 100 visas every day on average.

Visas & other Consular Services

Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC) is located at:

First Floor, Building No. 478/1/B,

Wathuwala, Nugawela,

Harispattuwa,

Kandy.

All Visa and CPV applications are accepted from 0900 to 1530 hrs from Monday to Saturday.

Normally Visa applications of ICCR, ITEC and KIP scholars to be submitted at AHCI, Kandy.

Please refer to the relevant link on the main page of the website https://hcicolombo.gov.in/ or https://icacsrilanka.com/  for more details on visa services.

Culture

The Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy continues to promote linguistic and cultural exchange between India and Sri Lanka through the conduct of free Hindi language classes across several districts in Sri Lanka.

Currently, 13 centres across five districts are conducting Hindi classes under the initiative. These districts include Kandy, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Kegalle, and Matale, with plans to expand the programme to additional locations in the future.

The Hindi classes follow two structured and recognized academic frameworks:

• Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha (Chennai) – offering levels from Prathamic to Praveen Uttarardh. Admissions typically take place in February and March, and each level runs for approximately 11 months, culminating in an official examination conducted by the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha.
• Kendriya Hindi Sansthan – offering modern, skill-based levels 100 to 300. Admissions are open during May–June, and each course runs for 9 to 10 months, focusing on reading, writing, and conversational Hindi.

Students who successfully complete these courses may further pursue advanced diploma or postgraduate programmes in Hindi in India.

In addition to structured courses, Spoken Hindi classes are conducted throughout the year, allowing learners to join at any time and begin developing conversational skills immediately.

Enrollment is simple. Interested participants may collect or download the application form from the Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy, or from the nearest Hindi teaching centre, and submit the completed form along with two passport-size photographs.

For further information on admissions and class locations, interested persons may contact the Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy.

Contact Details

The Chancery (Assistant High Commission of India) is located at:

No. 42, Hilpankandura Mawatha, Ampitiya Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Tel: 00-94-81-2222652 / 2223786 (PABX numbers; available 24 hrs. Assistance in English/Sinhalese/Tamil/Hindi is available during office hours and in English/Hindi after office hours for emergency cases)

Fax: 0094 81 2224563, 2232479

Working hours: 0900 to 1730 hrs (Mon-Fri)

Public dealing time: 0900 hrs to 1230 hrs

*In case of urgency beyond public hours or on a holiday concerning a medical emergency or bereavement in the family, please contact the PABX number. Kindly understand that the issue of visa or grant of any service beyond office hours or on a holiday is at the discretion of an officer on duty who may satisfy himself/herself on grounds on which an emergency service has been sought. Extra levies apply.