SAMHiTA Project: Strengthening India-Sri Lanka Cultural Ties

India and Sri Lanka are deepening their civilisational and cultural ties through the preservation of shared Buddhist heritage with the launch of the **SAMHiTA Project** at Colombo’s historic **Gangaramaya Temple**.

- SAMHiTA Full Form: **South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive (SAMHiTA)**.

- Primary Objective: Aims to digitize ancient manuscripts and preserve their historical, philosophical, and cultural knowledge for future generations.

- Executing Agency: Implemented by the **India International Centre (IIC)**, New Delhi, backed by grant assistance from the Government of India.

- Pioneer Institution: Gangaramaya Temple has become the first institution in Sri Lanka to partner with the SAMHiTA project.

- Scope of Work: Under an MoU signed in July 2026, local experts are digitizing **100 ancient manuscripts** preserved at the temple, with target completion by November-end.

- Gangaramaya Temple: One of the most famous and historic Buddhist temples in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

- Historical Connection: Emperor Ashoka sent his son **Mahendra** and daughter **Sanghamitra** to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism during the 3rd century BCE.

- Capital of Sri Lanka: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Administrative) / Colombo (Commercial).

- Currency of Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).

Q: What is the name of the project launched to digitize ancient manuscripts to preserve India-Sri Lanka shared Buddhist heritage?

A: SAMHiTA Project

Q: Which Sri Lankan temple became the first partner institution under the SAMHiTA Project?

A: Gangaramaya Temple (Colombo)

Q: Which New Delhi-based organization is executing the SAMHiTA project with financial assistance from the Indian government?

A: India International Centre (IIC)

Q: Which Mauryan Emperor dispatched his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to spread Buddhism in Sri Lanka?

A: Emperor Ashoka

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