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Programmes of SVCC
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR PROGRAMME & ORIENTATION GRANT OF ICCR
ICCR has programmes geared to increase scholarly, artistic and literary interaction between India and friendly countries around the world. Two of these programmes are the Distinguished Visitors' programme and the Orientation Grant.
Eminent persons from abroad are invited to visit India under the Distinguished Visitors Programme of ICCR. Similarly Orientation Grant is given by the ICCR to scholars/artistes desirous of staying or longer periods in India. This program provides avenues for research and study in India. urther strengthen the cultural bonds between the two countries by providing avenues for research and study in India.
Last year the recipients from Sri Lanka for both these programmes were:-
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR PROGRAMME - 2026
Mr. Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna visited India under Indian Council for Cultural Relations’ (ICCR) Distinguished Visitors Programme from 5-12 February 2026. He was accompanied by Members of Parliament Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj, Hon. Ilankumaran Karunanathan, JVP’s Central Committee Member Mr. Janaka Adhikari, JVP’s Media Unit Head Hemathilaka Gamage and Member of JVP’s International Relations Department Kalpana Madhubhashini. During the visit, the delegation visited New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram and had a wide range of interactions, discussions, including External Affairs Minister, Chief Minister of Gujarat and Chief Minister of Keralam. This was Tilvin Silva’s first visit to India.
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR PROGRAMME - 2025
A 24-member delegation of Young Political Leaders representing 14 political parties visited India from 14-25 July 2025. The delegation comprised Members of Parliament (MP), former members of Provincial Councils, members of Local Government Bodies and youth wing leaders. This was a first of its kind programme to enhance cross-party political linkages across different tiers between the two countries. The visit spanning across Delhi-NCR, and the states of Bihar and Karnataka provided the delegates with a brief over-view of India's developmental initiatives, economic modernisation, technological advancements, democratic traditions and its rich cultural heritage.
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR PROGRAMME - 2024
Leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and MP Mr. Anura Kumara Disayanaka visited India under Indian Council for Cultural Relations’ (ICCR) Distinguished Visitors Programme from 5-10 February 2024. He was accompanied by MP Mr. Vijitha Herath and National People’s Power General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe. During the visit, he visited New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram and had a wide range of interactions, discussions, including External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor.
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR PROGRAMME-2005
Professor D.C.R.A Goonetilleke: Prof. Goonetilleke, Head of the Department of English, University of Kelaniya visited India under the Distinguished Visitor programme in October 2005. Under this programme Prof. Goonetilleke met academics, visited universities in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and also visited several famous cultural sites in India.
ORIENTATION GRANT -2005
1. Dr. Basil Mihiripenne: Dr. Mihiripenne was given a 3 month scholarship from June to September 2005 to undertake research work in Kathakali- the ancient form of theater cum dance of Kerala. Dr. Mihiripenne is a past pupil of Kerala Kala Mandalam and during his study tour he visited leading training institutions on Kathakali as well as Kalakshetraya, Ravindra Bharathi University and Shanti Niketan.
2. Mr. W.Indrapala de Silva : Mr. Indrapala de Silva is Sri Lanka's only exponent of Sarangi. This is one of the most important bowed stringed instruments of north Indian Classical music.Mr. Silva utilized the 3 month grant to undertake training in Sarangi under maestro Ustad Sultan Khan.
July 2026
