Indian High Commissioner thanks Mahanayakes for helping strengthen Indo-SL relations

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, recently thanked Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter and Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter for their blessings for a strong India–Sri Lanka relationship.

During the calls, the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras 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 Thera of Malwatte Chapter for his blessings for 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, Narendra Modi, which was prominently covered in the Sinhala language print media, in Sri Lanka, the Most Venerable Thera stated that PM Modi’s closeness to Buddhism is evident, not just in words, but through his actions. The High Commissioner shared the Sinhala translation of the Prime Minister’s speech with both Chief Prelates.

Enquiring about the ferry services, between India and Sri Lanka, the Mahanayake Thera of Malwatte Chapter stressed that this initiative will benefit, particularly the common people, of both countries.

The High Commissioner thanked the Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter for the audience and the blessings for strong India-Sri Lanka ties. The High Commissioner also thanked the Mahanayake Thera for his personal guidance and support for the activities carried out by the Assistant High Commission of India, in Kandy, for the benefit of the people of Sri Lanka. The Most Venerable Thera fondly recalled the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Kandy, in 2017, and appreciated the growing cooperation and close ties between India and Sri Lanka.