Santosh Jha, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya garlanded Mahatma Gandhi’s bust at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo yesterday in observance of the 155th anniversary of his birth.
“PM Harini’s office, the 155th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth is commemorated.”
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the Prime Minister, was visited by the High Commissioner following the ceremony.
In 2019, India gifted the bust to mark the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth. Padma Bhushan Awardee Ram Vanji Sutar sculpted the 42-inch-tall bronze bust of Gandhiji in a meditative position. The tallest bronze statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the world, located in Kevadiya, Gujarat, is also credited to Sutar.Later in the day, the Gandhi Oration was also organised by the Sri Lanka India Society (SLIS) in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, which serves as the cultural arm of the Indian High Commission in Colombo. Austin Fernando, a former Sri Lankan high commissioner to India, was scheduled to give the speech. Gandhi Jayanti is observed annually by SLIS, and it has provided a forum for contemplation on the timeless lessons of Mahatma Gandhi and their continued relevance in today’s world.
