H.E. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India and Hon´ble G.A. Chandrasiri, Governor of Northern Province, Sri Lanka jointly inaugurated the ´India Corner´ located at the Consulate General of India, Jaffna on 23 February 2013. Senior government officials of Northern Province, prominent personalities in the cultural and academic fields as well as media persons were present on the occasion.

The ´India Corner´ which has been informally functioning since January 2013 will enhance cultural outreach of the Consulate General of India, Jaffna by further popularizing Indian classical music and dance amongst the people of Northern Province. In addition, facilities for learning Yoga and Hindi will also be offered free of cost at the Corner. The ´India Corner´ also houses a library with a wide collection of books on various subjects which can be accessed by people visiting the Corner. In coming times, the ´India Corner´ is expected to transform into a vibrant hub of cultural activities with a full calendar of events benefitting the people of Northern Province. The Corner has been modeled on the lines of the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo and is supported by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner emphasized the special relationship that exists between the people of Northern Province in general, the Jaffna Peninsula in particular and people from India. He stated that the ´India Corner´ had been established with the purpose of further enhancing this special relationship through exchanges in the field of culture and arts particularly in view of the fact that over the centuries, Jaffna had stood at the cross-roads of history, culture and religion, kings and kingdom, arts, dance and literature. High Commissioner further highlighted about the remarkable cultural space and convergence between Northern Province and India.

High Commissioner also touched upon other cultural initiatives of the Government of India in the Northern Province, particularly plans for the Jaffna Cultural Centre, which will be a landmark building in city of Jaffna, assistance to the Ramanathan Academy of Fine Arts in construction of an Open Air Theatre, exchange of faculty and students between this Academy and Kalakshetra Foundation in South India and organization of a three-day Cultural event during the Nallur Festival like last year.

On this occasion, the High Commissioner also symbolically donated a set of 20 Tamil books, audio compact discs and school bags to school children. This is part of a project by the Consulate General of India to provide 5000 primary level school books and audio compact Discs on various subjects in Tamil for distribution amongst 250 primary schools. The India-Sri Lanka Foundation has provided 1180 school bags each containing stationery for use of school children. These books, CDs and bags are being provided to needy school children of the Northern Province through the Education Ministry of the Northern Provincial Council. The High Commissioner also invited the assembled audience to the exclusive Indian Education Fair being held in Jaffna on March 5th and 6th 2013.

Hon´ble Governor Chandrasiri in his remarks thanked the Government of India for providing this opportunity to the people of the Northern Province to further pursue their interests in Indian music and dance as well as enhance their understanding of Yoga and Hindi language. He also thanked the Government of India for providing school bags and books to the needy students of the Northern Province. In conclusion Hon. Governor thanked for all the help the Government of India has been providing to Sri Lanka and in particular to Northern Province.