Hindi Language Strengthens India-Sri Lanka Cultural and Educational Ties

Colombo: In a significant move to deepen educational and cultural relations between India and Sri Lanka, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) has launched a Hindi language learning program in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural wing of the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

The launch ceremony was graced by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, who highlighted the vital role of language in promoting cross-cultural understanding and diplomatic engagement. Speaking at the event, he emphasized how Hindi — spoken by more than 600 million people worldwide — provides a gateway to India’s vast literature, media, philosophy, and professional opportunities.

The program is designed as an optional subject for undergraduate students and is open to both military and civilian scholars. The curriculum will be delivered by qualified instructors from India, focusing on foundational language skills, cultural context, and practical applications. The course aims to provide a structured and immersive experience, encouraging students to engage more deeply with India’s linguistic and cultural richness.

This initiative follows the momentum created by the first-ever India-Sri Lanka Hindi Conference, held in January 2025. During that conference, the Open University of Sri Lanka in collaboration with SVCC, launched a distance learning Hindi language course, marking another important milestone in bilateral educational cooperation.

In addition to the KDU program, another significant step has been taken in the form of a teacher training initiative. The Indian High Commission recently announced that 35 Sri Lankan Hindi teachers from government schools have been selected to participate in a Hindi Teacher Training Program at the Central Hindi Institute (KHS), Agra. This marks the first time a structured Hindi training program is being held in India for Sri Lankan school educators.

Currently, 88 schools across Sri Lanka offer Hindi as a subject, reflecting a growing interest among students and educational institutions. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Education has actively supported this partnership by nominating teachers for training aimed at enhancing teaching quality and promoting cultural understanding.

Through these efforts, both India and Sri Lanka are laying a strong foundation for sustained educational engagement, people-to-people connections, and mutual cultural appreciation. The Hindi language, traditionally seen as a tool of literature and expression, is now playing a pivotal role in fostering regional diplomacy and strategic friendship.

As Hindi gains academic and cultural traction in Sri Lanka, such initiatives underscore the shared heritage and the forward-looking approach of both nations to use language as a bridge — not only to communicate, but to connect on a deeper level.