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 April 22, 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 the Malwatte Chapter for his blessings on a strong India-Sri Lanka relationship. Referring to the inaugural address of the Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on April 20, 2023, by Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, which was prominently covered in Sinhala 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 a Sinhala translation of the Prime Minister’s speech with both Chief Prelates.
Enquiring about the ferry services between India and Sri Lanka, the Mahanayake Thero of Malwatte Chapter stressed that this initiative will particularly benefit the common people of both countries.
The High Commissioner thanked the Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter for the audience and the blessings for strong India-Sri Lanka ties. The High Commissioner also thanked Mahanayake Thero for his personal guidance and support of 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.