H.E. Shri Gopal Baglay, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka called on the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of Malwatte Chapter and the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of Asgiriya Chapter in Kandy on 22 April 2023.
During the calls, the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters highlighted the centuries old relationship between India and Sri Lanka and appreciated the steps taken by the Government of India to support Sri Lanka, especially during various crises.
The High Commissioner thanked the Mahanayake Thero of Malwatte Chapter for his blessings to a strong India–Sri Lanka relationship. Referring to the inaugural address of the Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on 20 April 2023 by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, which was prominently covered in Sinhala language print media in Sri Lanka, the Most Venerable Thero stated that Shri Modi’s closeness to Buddhism is evident, not just in words, but through his actions. The High Commissioner shared Sinhala translation of the Prime Minister’s speech with both the Chief Prelates.
Enquiring about the ferry services between India and Sri Lanka, the Mahanayake Thero of Malwatte Chapter stressed that this initiative will benefit particularly the common people of both countries.
The High Commissioner thanked the Mahanayake Thero of Asgiriya Chapter for the audience and the blessings for strong India-Sri Lanka ties. High Commissioner also thanked the Mahanayake Thero for his personal guidance and support to activities carried out by the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy for the benefit of the people of Sri Lanka. The Most Venerable Thero fondly recalled the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Kandy in 2017 and appreciated the growing cooperation and close ties between India and Sri Lanka.
