High Commission of India
Colombo
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PRESS RELEASE
Jaffna Cultural Center dedicated to the people
The iconic Jaffna
Cultural Center (JCC), which was built with grant assistance of Government of
India (GOI), was dedicated to the people on 11 February 2023 at a colourful
event in the gracious presence of President of Sri Lanka H.E Ranil
Wickremesinghe, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying and Information & Broadcasting, GOI Dr. L. Murugan, High
Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay, Hon. Douglas Devananda, Minister for
Fisheries, Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister for Buddhasasana, Religious and
Cultural Affairs, Hon. Kadar Masthan, Minister of State for Rural
Economy, several Parliamentarians and dignitaries from various walks of life.
2. Describing JCC as a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
President H.E Ranil Wickremesinghe thanked him and GOI for the Center. He
thanked India for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the economic
challenges. Highlighting cultural similarities between the two countries, he
noted that India and Sri Lanka were the two sides of the same coin.
3. Speaking
on the occasion, Minister of State Dr. L Murugan underlined that India's
partnership with Sri Lanka was guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
'Neighbourhood First' policy. He also announced a special financial assistance
scheme to 100 students from economically weaker families in University of
Jaffna. He also highlighted that GOI have implemented numerous people-centric
projects cutting across sectors in Northern Province.
4. H.E
Ranil Wickremesinghe and Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake handed over a special token
of gratitude to Minister Dr. L Murugan for JCC. The wide array of cultural
performances showcased the richness and diversity of Sri Lanka's culture.
5. The
state-of-the-art facility consists of multiple facilities such as a museum of
two floors; an advanced theatre-style auditorium for more than 600 people;
a 11-storeyed learning tower; a public square which could also act as an
amphitheater; exhibition galleries (Air conditioned), Open exhibition and a
100-seat Conference facility, among others .
6. Foundation
stone for JCC was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015 during the
first - ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Jaffna. Following the
construction of JCC, the iconic facility was virtually inaugurated during the
visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to Colombo in March
2022.
7. JCC
is an outstanding example of GOI’s ongoing commitment to the people of Sri
Lanka including in the Northern Province. GOI’s development partnership with
Sri Lanka which touch upon all aspects of daily lives such as infrastructure
development, education, health, housing, livelihood development etc currently
stands at USD 5 billion.
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Colombo
11 February 2023
