The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka commemorated Vesak 2026 through a series of initiatives celebrating the deep-rooted Buddhist and civilizational ties between India and Sri Lanka.
As part of the National Vesak Festival 2026, the High Commission of India and the Consulate General of India in Hambantota, in collaboration with Midellawela Purana Viharaya, Matara, organized a special photo exhibition titled ‘Buddhist Heritage of India’. Inaugurated by President H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka in the presence of High Commissioner of India H.E. Santosh Jha, the exhibition from 27 May to 2 June 2026 highlights India’s profound Buddhist legacy through photographs of sacred sites, ancient monasteries, stupas, archaeological remains, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites associated with the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.
Celebrating the spirit of compassion and generosity embodied by Vesak, the High Commission of India, organized a special Dansal on 30 May 2026 at the premises of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC), in Colombo. The High Commission also joined the ACBC in marking the commencement of operations of the Jaipur Foot India Centre, named “Sawi Suwa,” which provides free prosthetic limbs to those in need through a collaboration with the Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), India.
Further commemorating the sacred Vesak Poya Day, the High Commission organized an exhibition ‘Dhamma Chhaya’, which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on 31 May 2026 at the Seema Malakaya, Gangaramaya Temple. The exhibition will be open till 2 June 2026. Featuring curated collections from the National Museum, New Delhi, and the Indian Museum, Kolkata, the exhibition presents a visual journey through the life of Gautama Buddha as depicted in Indian art. As part of the initiative, Sinhala translations of Jataka Tales comic books are also being distributed to children to promote Buddhist values and cultural understanding among younger generations.
These initiatives form part of the continued efforts of the Government of India and the High Commission of India in Colombo to further strengthen the unique shared Buddhist heritage between the two countries. Earlier this year, a special public exposition of the sacred relics from Devnimori, Gujarat – announced by Prime Minister of India H.E. Shri Narendra Modi during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025 – enabled over one million devotees to pay homage. This follows earlier expositions of sacred relics from Sarnath and Kapilavastu in Sri Lanka. India’s commitment to promoting the shared Buddhist heritage was further reinforced through the USD 15 million grant announced in September 2020, under which key initiatives such as providing free electricity to nearly 9,000 Buddhist viharas and pirivenas across Sri Lanka, through solar power, are currently underway. During his April 2025 State Visit, Prime Minister Modi also announced Indian assistance for the Anuradhapura Sacred City Complex Project.
This shared Buddhist heritage further deepens the longstanding friendship between India and Sri Lanka.
