High Commission of India, Colombo in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo and Bihar Museum, Patna, India organized a Special Exhibition titled ‘Dhamma Rupa’ at Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple, as part of the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival in Colombo.
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, accompanied by High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Santosh Jha inaugurated the exhibition during the opening of the Vesak Festival at Gangaramaya, the event was attended by Ministers and other dignitaries which was jointly organized by Prime Minister’s Office and Gangaramaya Temple on 12 May 2025.
The ‘Dhamma Rupa’ Exhibition celebrates India’s rich Buddhist sculptural legacy and presents rare photographic displays of iconic Buddha sculptures dating from the 1st century BCE to the 11th century CE. It showcases striking images of ancient Buddha sculptures excavated from various regions of India, now housed in the Bihar Museum. These sculptures reflect the spiritual depth and exquisite craftsmanship of early Buddhist artists and offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the artistic and devotional expressions of Buddhist art from this formative period. The Exhibition is open to the public from 12 to 16 May 2025.
Marking the occasion, the High Commission of India also distributed copies of the Sinhala translations of five Amar Chitra Katha comic books based on Jataka Tales at the exhibition venue. The books were gifted to visiting children as part of a special initiative to creatively engage young minds with the teachings and values of Lord Buddha.
Commemorating the spirit of Metta and Karuna that underpins Vesak, High Commission of India also arranged a Vesak Dansala at the Bauddhaloka Vesak Festival in Bauddhaloka Mawatha, organized by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC). Jaipur Foot registration camp by Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) has also been set up at Baudhaloka Mawatha
These initiatives reflect the continuing commitment of India to preserve, share, and celebrate the common Buddhist heritage of India and Sri Lanka. It is a reaffirmation of the deep-rooted civilizational ties and enduring cultural bond that unite the two nations through the timeless teachings of the Lord Buddha.
