Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid a visit to the revered Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar’s Bodhgaya. Dissanayake is currently on a three-day state visit from December 15-17 to India.
Upon his arrival at Gaya Airport, the Sri Lankan President was received by senior government officials. He was warmly welcomed by Buddhist monks as he entered the temple premises.
The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds great significance for Buddhists worldwide. Located in Bodh Gaya, the temple marks the spot where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment.
In a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that President Dissanayake’s visit to India is a key moment in strengthening the already robust relationship between the two countries. He highlighted that this is Dissanayake’s first foreign trip to India since assuming office, signaling the importance of this visit in deepening bilateral ties.
Furthermore, Misri added, “The visit aims to expand this very robust partnership and take its frontiers even further. President Dissanayake thanked India for its instrumental role in finalising debt restructuring, and the provision of grant assistance to undertake development projects in Sri Lanka. In particular, he thanked India for USD 20.66 million as grant assistance to settle the payments related to seven completed lines of credit projects in Sri Lanka.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts for economic stabilization.
Earlier on Monday, President Dissanayake also thanked Prime Minister Modi and President Droupadi Murmu for their warm hospitality. In a post on X, he said, “It is a privilege to visit India on my first overseas trip as President. I am grateful to PM Modi for supporting Sri Lanka during the economic crisis and aiding debt restructuring. We discussed trade, defence, energy, BRICS, UNCLCS, and combating illegal fishing. I invited PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka and assured India that Sri Lanka’s territory will not be used against India’s security interests.”
This visit marks the first bilateral trip of President Dissanayake to India since taking office in September.
(Inputs from ANI)
