The High Commissioner-designate of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay offered prayers to Lord Buddha through a video call each to the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of Asgiriya Nikaya and the Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thero of Malwatte Nikaya today morning.
The High Commissioner-designate prayed for health, happiness, peace and prosperity of the people of Sri Lanka and India, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.
He also stressed that Buddhism is one of the strongest pillars connecting the two nations and civilizations from the time when the Great Indian Emperor Ashoka sent his children Arhat Mahinda and Theri Sangamitta to spread the teachings of Lord Buddha at the request of King Devanampiya Tissa of Sri Lanka.
He sought Lord Buddha’s blessings in further strengthening the multifaceted ties between the two friendly maritime neighbours.
The Most Venerable Mahanayake and the Most Venerable Anunayake welcomed the High Commissioner-designate to Sri Lanka and blessed him for a happy and fruitful tenure in Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner-designate had arrived in Sri Lanka on 08 May 2020 during the auspicious week of Vesak onboard a special aircraft carrying the fourth gift consignment of essential medicines and medical items weighing 12.5 tonnes from India to Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, the Deputy High Commissioner of India in Colombo Vinod Jacob today made a token handover of the fourth consignment of essential medicines and medical items to Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Health and Indigenous Medical Services Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha at the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
The consignment, which consists of around 12.5 tonnes of medicines and equipment arrived by a special Indian flight on 8 May 2020 in Sri Lanka, marks Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to assist the neighbouring and partner countries to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the symbolic handing over event, the Deputy High Commissioner called on the Foreign Relations Minister for a brief meeting to review the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, trade, tourism, health and regional affairs.
The Foreign Relations Minister appreciated the continued support of India in sharing vital resources including medical supplies as donations in the current period of common challenges.
Minister Gunawardena expressed gratitude to the Indian Government for expeditious action in relation to the repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals in India in the midst of a national lockdown.
Courtesy: Colombo Gazette
