Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and Education Ministry Secretary M.N Ranasinghe exchanged diplomatic notes on 19 June 2023 to fast-track the implementation of a project meant to establish modern computer labs and smart boards with customized curriculum software in 200 Schools in the Galle District, according to a statement issued by the Indian HC, Colombo

Minister of Industries and Plantation Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, was present on the occasion.  Deputy High Commissioner, Vinod K. Jacob and officials from High Commission of India and Ministry of Education also participated.

  Exchange of notes will further streamline and expedite the implementation of the Project, by aligning the procurement processes in accordance with the framework prescribed by the Government of Sri Lanka. The Project, which is being implemented through the Government of India grant assistance, aims to improve digital literacy amongst students attending schools in the lesser privileged areas. This is one among several grant projects undertaken by the Government of India in the education sphere in Sri Lanka.

India’s overall development assistance to Sri Lanka currently stands at around USD 5 billion with nearly USD 600 million being in grants. Close to 65 grant projects have already been carried out across the 25 districts of the country and over 20 grant projects are at various stages of implementation. Indian Housing Project and 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service are among the flagship grant projects implemented by the Government of India in Sri Lanka.