India has made a significant contribution to educational modernization in Sri Lanka by donating digital equipment, including 2,000 tablets, to 200 schools in the Southern Province. This generous gesture, valued at Rs 300 million, was formally presented during a ceremony in the Galle district, attended by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.
The project equips 200 schools with Smart Classrooms and 2,000 tablets, with each classroom receiving 10 tablets. This initiative, driven by a request from Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Industry, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, demonstrates India’s commitment to supporting educational advancement in its neighboring country. The distribution of tablets is expected to enhance digital literacy and provide students with access to a wider range of learning resources.
President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude for India’s support, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interest in establishing an IIT campus in Sri Lanka. He also emphasized the positive progress in negotiations for enhanced cooperation in the energy sector between the two nations.
Both Minister of Health and Industry, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, and Minister of Education, Dr. Susil Premajayantha, expressed their appreciation for India’s assistance in their respective speeches. Minister Premajayantha also highlighted the ongoing digitization efforts in Sri Lanka’s education system, with 1,250 schools already connected.
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka, stating that the country holds a crucial position in India’s foreign policy. He emphasized India’s dedication to providing essential infrastructure and technical knowledge to Sri Lanka. The donation of digital equipment is a testament to this commitment and a symbol of the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.
