PM Narendra Modi to attend International Vesak Day celebrations in Sri Lanka today

The visit to Sri Lanka beginning on Thursday is a sign of “strong relationship” between the two countries and brings to the fore the shared heritage of Buddhism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

During his two-day visit, PM Modi will participate in the International Vesak Day celebrations, inaugurate a hospital built with Indian assistance and address the Indian-origin Tamil community, besides attending some other programmes.

The Prime Minister in a Facebook post wrote, “This will be my second bilateral visit there in two years, a sign of our strong relationship.”
“During my visit, I will join the International Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo on 12th May, where I will interact with leading Buddhist spiritual leaders, scholars and theologians,” Modi further said.

He said it was an honour for him to join these celebrations with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

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“My visit brings to the fore one of the most abiding links between India and Sri Lanka - the shared heritage of Buddhism,” PM said.

PM Modi also recalled his last visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 wherein he had the opportunity to visit a UNESCO world heritage site Anuradhapura and Buddhism centre.

“This time, I will be privileged to pay respect at the revered Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic,” he added.

The Prime Minister will commence his trip from Colombo wherein he will visit the Seema Malaka at the Gangaramayya temple. At the temple, he will take part in the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. He will also be going to meet many eminent dignitaries including Sirisena and Wickremesinghe.

“I will also visit the up country region of Sri Lanka where I will inaugurate the Dickoya Hospital that has been built with Indian assistance, and have an interaction with the Indian-origin Tamil community,” PM Modi said.

With inputs from PTI.

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