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The Pathfinder Foundation, in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Colombo, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), held a symposium on “Strengthening Pali Language Studies in Sri Lanka” last Friday (24), in Colombo.
The symposium brought together eminent members of the Maha Sangha, distinguished academics, policymakers, and education specialists to discuss the future of Pali language studies in Sri Lanka and explore practical strategies for preserving and promoting one of South Asia’s most significant classical languages.
The event was held with the blessings and participation of leading members of the Maha Sangha, including Most Venerable Dr. Niyangoda Vijithasiri, Anunayaka Thera of the Malwatta Mahavihara; Most Venerable Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Maha Nayaka Thera of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha; Most Venerable Shastrapathi Ganthune Assaji Maha Nayaka Thera of the Amarapura Chulagandhi Chapter; Senior Professor Ven. Kotapitiye Rahula, Anunayaka of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha; Most Venerable Dr. Waleboda Gunasiri Anunayaka Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya; and Most Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Thera of the Amarapura Sambuddha Sasanodaya Maha Nikaya.
The symposium also brought together representatives of the three main Nikayas, leading scholars in Pali and Buddhist Studies, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Deputy High Commissioner, Maitrey Kulkarni, Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda, Acting Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Roshni Thomson, General Secretary of the Urumayake Ulpatha R.A.D. Sirisena, university academics, Pirivena educators, and education experts.
Delivering the keynote address, Senior Professor Ven. Medagampitiye Vijithadhamma Thera described Pali as a comprehensive knowledge system that has preserved Sri Lanka’s cultural, philosophical, and spiritual heritage for centuries. He also commended the Government of India’s decision to confer Classical Language status on Pali in 2024.
“Pirivena education remains the centre of Pali knowledge transmission, while universities represent its highest level of academic learning,” Ven. Vijithadhamma Thera said. He observed that several important Pali traditions continue to be preserved within specific monastic lineages in Sri Lanka.
He noted that Pali education is currently divided among schools, Pirivenas, and universities, emphasising the need for closer collaboration among these institutions to strengthen the discipline.
“The decline of the humanities in higher education is largely due to limited employment opportunities. Symposiums such as this are therefore essential to strengthening Pali language studies,” he said.
Drawing attention to international examples, Ven. Vijithadhamma Thera noted that countries, such as Thailand and Cambodia conduct national examinations in Pali and suggested that Sri Lanka should consider introducing a similar system. He also called on universities to provide greater recognition to creative scholarly works produced in Pali.
Highlighting the opportunities offered by emerging technologies, he said artificial intelligence and digital tools could play a transformative role in preserving the language.
“Palm-leaf manuscripts can be digitized using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology and made widely accessible. Pali is a priceless cultural treasure that must be preserved and passed on to future generations,” he said, adding that safeguarding the language requires the collective efforts of the State, schools, the Sangha, information technology professionals, researchers, and the wider academic community.
Addressing the gathering, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha said that participating in Buddhist events was much more than a diplomatic responsibility, as it held deep personal significance for him, having been born and raised in Bihar, close to the place where Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.
He noted that Pali forms the very foundation of Buddhist knowledge and recalled that in October 2024 the Government of India conferred Classical Language status on Pali. Referring to the remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said it is humanity’s responsibility to keep the Pali language alive in order to preserve the original teachings of the Buddha.
High Commissioner Jha emphasised that Pali is the language of the earliest Buddhist scriptures, including the Tripitaka, which embodies the timeless message of Dhamma. In a world increasingly affected by conflict, he said, the Buddha’s teachings provide a path towards peace, compassion, and the welfare of all humanity.
He further observed that Sri Lanka continues to play a unique role in preserving Pali through its use in religious rituals, chanting, and Theravada Buddhist traditions.
Recalling earlier initiatives, the High Commissioner noted that Sri Lanka became the first country to organise an international seminar on the significance of Pali’s recognition as a Classical Language, soon after India’s decision in October 2024. He added that Prime Minister Modi had personally acknowledged the initiative and appreciated the contributions of Sri Lankan scholars in promoting Pali studies.
Building on that momentum, he said India has continued to support efforts to preserve and promote Pali, including assisting the Pathfinder Foundation in reprinting important classical Pali grammar texts such as Namamala and Balawatharo.
The symposium focused on the current state of Pali education in Sri Lanka, future prospects for its development, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and stronger collaboration among Pirivenas, universities, research institutions, and international partners.
Participants also discussed ways of strengthening cooperation between Sri Lankan and international Pali scholars and educational institutions while laying the foundation for a sustainable national programme to promote the study, teaching, research, preservation, and wider use of the Pali language for future generations.
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Leaders of the United States, China and Russia are set to hold an unprecedented three-way meeting next week, the White House has said.
US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China’s tech hub, the White House assistant press secretary confirmed in an announcement.
The talks will be held nine months after the last nuclear arms treaty between Washington and Moscow expired, leaving the world’s two countries with the largest atomic arsenals without caps for the first time in more than 50 years.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said that kissing Kawanthissa, the deceased tusker, was worthier than kissing the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa criticised the Government’s relationship with international financial institutions, including the IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), while raising concerns over the country’s poverty levels.
Referring to a 2025 World Bank report, he said 61.1% of Sri Lanka’s population was estimated to be living on less than US$8.30 a day in 2025.
Premadasa questioned the Government’s approach towards international financial institutions, saying the IMF, World Bank and ADB were among the institutions that the Government preferred to “kiss and hug”.
During his speech, he produced a document carrying a photograph of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya greeting the then IMF chief with an embrace.
“I shouldn’t be showing this against the Prime Minister, but here’s an image of you kissing. That’s fine; it’s the normal way of greeting someone,” he said.
Referring to criticism over his widely publicised gesture of kissing Kawanthissa, Premadasa said Government members had failed to understand the significance of the gesture.
He maintained that showing affection towards the deceased tusker was more meaningful and worthy than such gestures towards the IMF chief.
Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and six others were remanded until November 26 by the Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday over a confrontation at a protest site near the historic Ruwanwelisaya.
The seven suspects, including four Buddhist monks and three civilians, were arrested following a clash on Thursday (12) between two groups at the site.
They were produced before Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Siyapath Sasindu Wickramaratne on charges of assaulting and injuring Rajanganaye Saddharathana Thera and obstructing police duties.
Saddharathana Thera sustained head injuries during the confrontation and was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.
The suspects had been staging a fast-unto-death protest near the Ruwanwelisaya in opposition to the proposed Anuradhapura Sacred City Development Plan and demanding the release of Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera.
Police said the group had continued the protest despite previous court orders to vacate the area.
The Chief Magistrate, who visited the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to inspect the monks and civilians receiving treatment, ordered that all seven suspects undergo drug tests and that a report be submitted to court.
The Magistrate also ordered that a psychiatric medical report be obtained concerning Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera.Police Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler said two women were among the civilians arrested in connection with the incident.
The Magistrate further directed Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to produce Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in connection with an arrest warrant issued after he failed to appear for a case there on November 11, and subsequently report back to the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.
Police took the suspects into custody following the confrontation between the group led by Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thera and another group led by Rajanganaye Saddharathana.
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