Six-Day Indian Cinema Festival Kicks Off at Eastern University, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

National | Dated: 20 Aug 2025

A vibrant, six-day Indian Film Festival was inaugurated today at the Trincomalee campus of Eastern University in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province. The festival, opened by the province’s Governor, aims to strengthen cultural bonds through cinema, showcasing six Indian films across diverse languages.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The festival was formally inaugurated by Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, Governor of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, who emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy. Representing India, Prof. Ankuran Dutta, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Colombo, spotlighted Indian cinema’s dynamic evolution over 111 years.
  • - The event features a curated lineup of six Indian films presented in multiple Indian languages. The selection underscores the diversity and vibrancy of Indian cinema, reflecting its cultural depth and ability to transcend linguistic borders.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) By bringing Indian films to Sri Lankan audiences, the festival serves as a soft-power initiative designed to deepen people-to-people ties. It acts as a cultural bridge—facilitating mutual understanding and artistic exchange between the two nations.
  • (ii) Hosting the festival at the Eastern University’s Trincomalee campus provides students and faculty direct access to Indian cinema’s rich heritage, enriching both academic discourse and cultural exposure within the university community.
  • (iii) Organised under the auspices of India’s Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the festival aligns with India’s broader cultural diplomacy efforts in South Asia. It further consolidates bilateral goodwill by harnessing the unifying power of storytelling and film.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which country recently inaugurated a six-day Indian Film Festival at the Eastern University campus in Trincomalee?

Correct Answer: Sri Lanka

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Sri Lanka

  • President: Anura Kumara Dissanayake
  • Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte