Indian students of Sri Lanka history to visit island

The Centre for Historical Studies of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, in collaboration with the High Commission of Sri Lanka and with the support of the India-Sri Lanka Foundation, commenced a new course entitled State, Society and Religion in Sri Lanka, from the 3rd century BCE to 13th century CE, with specific focus on Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa period.

The students visiting Sri Lanka

The reference books required for the course have been procured and placed in the Library of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi for research work of the students.

Forty students have already enrolled in this course, which is expected to broaden understanding of Sri Lanka's relations with India in its historical context as well. This initiative is considered as the first in India to teach Sri Lankan history through a specifically designed course of study in a university.

Fifteen students, who have enrolled in this course of study on Sri Lankan history at JNU will undertake a full study tour to Sri Lanka from December 10 to 20 supported by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation. The students will visit Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Dambulla, Mihintale, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kataragama and Adams Peak.

They will attempt to relate their readings by first-hand experience of the religious and socio-cultural life of the Sri Lankans, and are expected to interact with different sections of the Sri Lankan society to learn about how tradition and modernity are interwoven in the lives of ordinary people.

Besides site visits to places of historic importance, they intend to visit institutions such as the University of Kelaniya, the Asiatic Society of Colombo, the Department of Archeology and the National Archives.

This field study visit will enable Indian students to get a glimpse of the rich civilisational and cultural connections between the two nations and encourage them to undertake further research work on Sri Lanka.