Indian High Commissioner launches SriPalee Vibhuthiya Platinum Jubilee publication

India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha today visited SriPalee College in Horana to launch a commemorative Platinum Jubilee Publication of SriPalee titled "SriPalee Vibhuthiya - The Splendour of SriPalee".

A press release issued by the High Commission of India said Kantha was the Chief Guest at the launch of the publication which has been produced by the SriPalee Past Pupils Association. During the visit, the High Commissioner was presented with the first copy of the publication.




\ SriPalee, modeled according to Santiniketan in India was founded by late Mr. Wilmot A. Perera in 1934. The renowned poet Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore laid the foundation stone of the institute and christened it as "SriPalee" (where beauty reigns) on 20th May 1934.
SriPalee is a premier institute for performance arts education although it currently follows the general public education curriculum.
Delivering the keynote address, the High Commissioner has highlighted that Tagore, who has visited Sri Lanka three times, belonged to India but also had a deep connection to the world at large.
The India connection of Sri Palee has remained strong over the years, Kantha has said. Many great luminaries from India have visited Sri Palee including Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, former President of India, Mr. Humayun Kabir and Pandit Ravi Shankar and that the linkage and relationship between the High Commission and Sri Palee would be further strengthened and the bonds which existed between Santiniketan and SriPalee will be revitalized, he has asserted.
Recalling that the Santiniketan started in 1901 with 3 students and SriPalee in 1934 with 6 students, the High Commissioner saluted the conviction of Gurudev Tagore and Mr. Perera in travelling the less travelled path and initiating a new form of holistic education.
The High Commissioner also planted a Tamarind tree at the SriPalee College to mark the event and met with Principal and the staff of the SriPalee College and with the members of the Past Pupils Association of SriPalee College, the press release said.
According to the statement, the High Commission of India in association with local organizations, Institutes and Universities is planning a number of activities to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Gurudev Tagore in Sri Lanka.