India signs MoU with Srilanka in building modern infrastructure for Swami Vipulanada Institute of Aesthetic Studies

India and Sri Lanka on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide modern infrastructural facilities to Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Eastern University in Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka.

The MoU was signed by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Secretary, Minister of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education M.M.P.K. Mayadunne in the presence of Minister of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education Rauff Hakeem.

The project involves refurbishment of the Auditorium and construction of a modern Building Complex with Audio & Video Recording Cum Editing Facilities and supply vehicles to Swami Vipulananda Institute in Eastern University Batticaloa through a grant of Rs. 275 million from the Government of India, reports Colombo Page.

This project is part of Government of India's continued efforts to assist and cooperate with Government of Sri Lanka in people-oriented development projects.

India's overall commitment of development assistance to Sri Lanka stands at a total of around US$ 3 billion, out of which US$ 560 million is pure grant assistance, High Commission of India said.

On Sunday, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Dr. Shilpak N. Ambule handed over 150 houses to beneficiaries which is built at a cost of Rs. 170 million. The houses were built under the Indian Housing Project and said to have facilities like - electricity, water, roads, children parks and other necessary infrastructure.

The Deputy High Commissioner said " the Indian Housing Project in Sri Lanka with a grant of over US$ 350 million (close to Rs. 50 billion), was the largest Indian grant assistance project in any country abroad. He also recalled that out of the total commitment of 63,000 houses, 47,000 houses had already been built.