In Sri Lanka, the installation of solar panels at around 5,000 temples and pirivenas as a grant from India has commenced. The public unveiling of these projects is likely to be delayed due to the upcoming election. During a meeting with the Chief Prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters yesterday, High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha told that solar panels are being installed at 4,000 temples and 800 pirivenas, or monastic colleges, with plans to extend the project to an additional 3,000 temples.

The project is being implemented under a grant of 15 million US dollars. Mr. Jha emphasised that India considers itself not as the elder brother of Sri Lanka but as a twin sibling and added that the Indian government has implemented projects across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. The Indian High Commissioner also distributed solar lanterns to beneficiaries of houses built with Indian grant assistance in the plantation areas, reaffirming India’s continued commitment towards the betterment of the IOT community in the hill country regions.