First-ever public veneration of the sacred Buddha relics outside India deepens Indo–Sri Lanka spiritual bonds
The Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka on February 04, 2026, departed for India on February 11, 2026, following the successful conclusion of a week-long exposition at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo that drew over one million devotees.
The sacred relics were escorted back to India by Shri Mangubhai C. Patel, Governor of Madhya Pradesh, and Shri Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. The ceremonial departure at Bandaranaike International Airport was attended by Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; and H.E. Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka.
During their visit, the Indian delegation met with key Sri Lankan leaders, including Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; Hon. Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Environment; and Hon. Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya, Governor of the North Western Province. The dignitaries also engaged with members of the Indian-origin community in Sri Lanka.
The Exposition was formally inaugurated on February 04, 2026, by H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, President of Sri Lanka, alongside Shri Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, and Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, in the presence of the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero.
Throughout the exposition, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya, several Cabinet Ministers, the Hon. Speaker, the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, former Presidents, and numerous Members of Parliament paid their respects to the Holy Relics.
Marking a historic milestone, the exposition represented the first public veneration of the Holy Devnimori Relics outside India. Complementing the main event, two special exhibitions—“Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa” and “Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India”—were held, highlighting the shared Buddhist heritage of India and Sri Lanka.
The exposition was announced by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. The event further strengthened the deep spiritual and cultural ties between the two civilizational partners, with India reaffirming its commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through continued initiatives and exchanges among monastic and scholarly communities.
