India’s Assistant High Commission and Peradeniya University host first international Pali Conference in Kandy

The Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy, in partnership with the University of Peradeniya, organised the first-ever international conference on the Future of Pali Studies in Kandy today. The day-long event drew scholars from Sri Lanka, India, and several other countries to deliberate on the legacy and contemporary significance of Pali. The Deputy Prelate of the Malwatta Chapter and members of the Mahasabha were also present, lending spiritual and cultural weight to the occasion. Presentations touched upon Theravada traditions, manuscript studies, and Pali’s journey from a classical scholarly medium to a living language.
 
The event marked a milestone for the University of Peradeniya, which hosted an international Pali conference for the first time. It also underscored the close cultural bonds between India and Sri Lanka. Pali has been accorded the status of a classical language in India by the Indian Government, a recognition that further highlights its enduring importance.