India also continues to assist a la

India also continues to assist a large number of smaller development projects in areas like education, health, transport connectivity, small and medium enterprise development and training in many parts of the country through its grant funding.
Cultural Relations
The Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed by the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka on 29 November, 1977 at New Delhi forms the basis on which the periodic Cultural Exchange Programmes between the two countries are signed and implemented.
The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by offering classes in Indian music, dance, Hindi and Yoga. Every year, cultural troupes from both countries exchange visits.
India and Sri Lanka also commemorated the 2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Buddha (SambuddhatvaJayanthi) through joint activities. These included the exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka took place from 19 August 2012 to 11 September 2012. During the 25 days of exposition at ten venues, approximately three million Sri Lankans (nearly 15 percent of the total population of Sri Lanka) paid homage to the Sacred Relics.
Education is another important area of cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. India now offers about 290 scholarship slots annually to deserving Sri Lankan students which benefits not only regular undergraduate studies but also provides opportunities for higher research. In addition, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Scheme and the Colombo Plan, India offers nearly 200 slots annually to Sri Lankan nationals for short and medium term training courses in a wide variety of technical and professional disciplines.
Tourism also forms an important link between India and Sri Lanka. In 2013, out of the total 1274,593 tourists, 208,795 were from India constituting 16.38% of the total. Sri Lankan tourists too are among the top ten sources for the Indian tourism market. In
more than 162,000 visas were issued by the High Commission in Colombo to facilitate travel between India and Sri Lanka.
The India-Sri Lanka Foundation, set up in December 1998 as an intergovernmental initiative, also aims towards enhancement of scientific, technical, educational and cultural cooperation through civil society exchanges and enhancing contact between the younger generations of the two countries.
Fishermen issue
Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar, incidents of straying of fishermen are common. Both countries have agreed on certain practical arrangements to deal with the issue of bona fide fishermen of either side crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line. Through these arrangements, it has been possible to deal with the issue of detention of fishermen in a humane manner.
Indian Community
The People of Indian Origin (PIOs) comprise Sindhis, Borahs, Gujaratis, Memons, Parsis, Malayalis and Telugu speaking persons who have settled down in Sri Lanka (most of them after partition) and are engaged in various business ventures. Though their numbers (10,000 approximately) are much lesser as compared to Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs), they are economically prosperous and are well placed. Each of these communities has their organization which organizes festivals and cultural events. According to unofficial statistics, it is estimated that around 2000 Indian expatriates are living in Sri Lanka.
The IOTs are mostly employed in either tea or rubber plantations in Central, Uva and Sabragamuwa Provinces though during the last decade, the younger generation has been migrating to Colombo in search of employment. A fair number of IOTs living in Colombo are engaged in business. According to Government census figures (2011), the population of IOTs is about 842,000.
For more information and latest updates please visit High Commission of India, Colombo website: http://www.hcicolombo.org/
High Commission of India, Colombo Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcicolombo
'India Global': India Global' is a programme on All India Radio FM Gold focussing on India's relations with other countries
For ‘India Global’ program featuring India and Sri Lanka Relations, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dLkbYRJbwk
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July 2014