AMN/ WEB DESK

In a historic step towards promoting Hindi education in Sri Lanka, the country’s first certificate course in Hindi through open and distance learning was launched today at the first-ever Bharat Sri Lankan Hindi Sammelan held in Colombo. The unveiling of the course curriculum was done by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Madhura Senevirathne and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.

The Bharat Sri Lanka Hindi sammelan featured panel discussions on several aspects of the Hindi Language including Hindi literature, education and usage in Sri Lanka.

The Sammelan saw over 400 scholars, teachers, and students from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal participating. A Kavi Sammelan featuring Sri Lanka’s Hindi poets was also organised as a part of the event.

Speaking at the event High Commissioner Jha thanked the Open University of Sri Lanka for starting the certificate course which will be a breakthrough in popularising Hindi in the neighbourhood.

Deputy Minister, Dr Senevirathne added that efforts will be made to further enhance the learning of the Hindi language in Sri Lanka’s universities while emphasising that Hindi has been a communication bridge. Certificates were also given away to the prize winners for the competitions conducted by the High Commission.