14th Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration on 3 April

High Commissioner of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu is to deliver the 14th Annual Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration on 3 April at the BMICH on the topic’Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas (Together We Progress): India-Sri Lanka Relations in the light of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy’.

The annual Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration is a premier annual event of the University of Colombo, hosted by the Alumni Association of the University of Colombo in memory of its illustrious Past President (late) Sujata Jayawardena, who rendered immense service to the University of Colombo.

Speaking of the event, University of Colombo Alumni President Rajeev Amarasuriyasaid: “With over 2500 years of history and a rich cultural, religious and linguistic heritage behind it, the relationship between India and Sri Lanka represents one of the broadest and deepest connections the Island nation maintains with another state. In recent years, India’s ‘Neighbourhood-First’ foreign policy, in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ development vision, has broadened this longstanding relationship to embrace the field of development.”

He went on to state that this inclusive growth agenda inspires optimism, but if history is any indication, it will also entail a number of challenges for Sri Lanka. Therefore, understanding first-hand the thinking behind this initiative, the envisaged involvement of Sri Lanka in the same, and the benefits and challenges Sri Lanka can expect to enjoy and will have to grapple with on account of this development vision, is crucial. There can be no better person than the High Commissioner of India to explain this.

This year’s topic is also pertinent in view of Sri Lanka’s involvement in China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative, which was the subject of last year’s Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration.

Sri Lanka has embarked on a fresh journey to meet the development aspirations of its people sustainably. In the process she has been blessed with the support of many, including India. A proper assessment of all these opportunities available to Sri Lanka is essential in order to ensure that the interests of the Island nation are duly protected. 

University of Colombo Vice Chancellor Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake said that it would be timely to have the Indian High Commissioner speak on India-Sri Lanka relations in the light of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, in view of India’s geographical proximity as well as historical relations between the two countries.

Speaking of the Oration,Prof. Dissanayake said that the Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration,which is an important annual event of the University of Colombo, also has significance nationally, as it has provided a forum for timely, socio-politically and economically important topics of national importance to be discussed. Being the premierUniversity in Sri Lanka, the University of Colombo tries, through the Sujata Jayawardena Memorial Oration, to generate dialogue and exchange of ideas between leaders of respective fields, academics and the public, he went on to state. 

Those interested in attending this year’s Memorial Oration are requested to express their interest by email to: [email protected] or call Suraji between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 a.m. on (011) 2501412 / 071 7289014 or Sumanaratne on (011 2506236 / 077 3822473), as seats are limited and will be by invitation.