About us

The Kalinga Lanka Foundation (hereinafter referred as KLF) is a socio-cultural organization founded by like-minded people from Odisha and Sri Lanka to celebrate the common heritage and strengthen the historical relationship between peoples of India with particular reference to Odisha (erstwhile Kalinga) and peoples of Sri Lanka through multi-dimensional initiatives in art & culture, education, skill development, science & technology, tourism, business and other areas.

KLF was launched at the High Commision of Sri Lanka ,New Delhi on 29th May 2014 by H.E. Mr Prasad Kariyawasam, the then High Commisioner of Sri Lanka in India and Ambassador LalitMansingh, Former Foreign Secretary of India, who is also the Founding President of the organization. The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India is the ex-officio Patron-in Chief of KLF. Among the dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were H.E. Mr Prasad Kariyawasam, Ambassador LalitMansingh, Shri BhartruhariMahtab, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Shri K.P. Singhdeo, Former Union Minister, Shri SubasPani, Former Chief Secretary of Odisha, Prof. G.K.Das, Former Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University, Shri Jatin Das, Renowned Painter and SmtAlpanaNayak,Odishi Guru & Dance Exponent.

Successive High Commissioners Prof. SudharshanSeneviratne, MrEsalaWeerakoon and Mrs. ChitranganeeWagiswara have extended their kind support to the KLF. The premises of the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi have become the cradle for the growth of the Foundation with continued involvement and cooperation from the senior diplomats and staff. KLF was formally registered as a non-government, not-for-profit organisation on 1st of December, 2014 under the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Societies Act 2012 having registered office at Y- 42/4, Shahtoot Marg, DLF Phase I, Gurgaon - 122002, Haryana, India. The registration number of the Foundation is 01590. The registered office is now shifted to Y-165, Regency Park-II, DLF Phase-4, Gurgaon-122009.

The Founding members of the Kalinga Lanka Foundation are:

1. Ambassador Lalit Mansingh, Former Foreign Secretary of India

2. Mr. Debi Prasad Bagchi, IAS (retd), Former Chief Secretary of Odisha

3. Mr. T. Banambar Patra, Businessman

4. Mr. Jatin Das, Artist & Chairman, JD Centre of Art

5. Mr. K.Madhusudana Choudary, Businessman

6. Mr. Roshan Wijesekara, Aviation & Tourism Consultant

7. Ms. Alpana Nayak, Odissi Dance Guru

8. Ven. R.Sumithananda Thero, Buddhist Monk & in-charge of Mahabodhi Temple, New Delhi

9. Mr. Harihar Patra, Businessman

10. Mr. Sameer Kumar Das, PR & Marketing Consultant

Aims and Objects of the Foundation:

(i)To celebrate the common heritage and strengthen the historical relationship between peoples of India with particular reference to Odisha (erstwhile Kalinga) and peoples of Sri Lanka through multi-dimensional initiatives in art & culture, education, skill development, science & technology, tourism, business and other areas.

(ii)To promote the exploration, research and documentation of socio-cultural and economic relations between the two regions through multi-disciplinary studies in the field of anthropology, history, archaeology, maritime trade & commerce and Buddhism.

(iii)To provide necessary institutional support to scholars, artists and others to effectively communicate, validate and facilitate international cooperation in different fields including archaeology, science and technology and Buddhist studies.

(iv)To open branches or chapters of the Foundation at different locations to promote its common objectives and mobilize resources to strengthen the organization.

(v)To promote and facilitate the visit of tourists and pilgrims to the historical and religious sites in both the regions.

(vi)To encourage the expansion of trade and investment by taking advantage of the rich human and natural resources of the two regions.

(vii)To organize cultural exchange programmes, seminars, conferences, exhibitions and events to promote cooperation between two regions.

(viii)To develop interactive platforms (website, social networking channels, etc) publications and make documentary films for the promotion of our common objectives. The various media channels (print & online) may be used as a source for earning revenue through allotted advertisements.

(ix)To promote training & skill development initiatives in order to enhance the human resource potential of the people of the two regions.

(x)To institute ‘Awards and Certificates of Excellence’ to honour distinguished persons for their significant contribution in different fields including science & technology, art & culture, tourism and commerce.

(xi)To support, financially or otherwise, other societies, agencies, associations or institutions which are working with similar objectives.

(xii)To receive any grant, donation, fee, support or assistance in any form for the furtherance of the objectives of the Foundation.

(xiii)To work closely with Government and non-Government bodies of both the regions to seek their cooperation in achieving the objectives of the Foundation.

(xiv)To purchase, lease, secure by exchange or license, hire or otherwise acquire any moveable or immovable property and any interest, easement, right and privilege necessary or alter any moveable and immovable property of the trust and undertake such other activities as may be necessary and incidental to the objects of the Foundation.

(xv)To frame by-laws and rules and regulations for the conduct of the business of the Foundation and of its officers and employees.

(xvi)To do all such other lawful acts, deeds and things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.