President inaugurates Buddhist conference: Parley further strengthens Lanka, India ties

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday inaugurated the two day International Buddhist Conference on the theme Cultural interface between India and Sri Lanka based on Buddhist history, Art, Literature and Philosophy at the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy, Pallekelle, Kandy.

Scholars and delegates from eight countries participated in the conference organized in commemoration of the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi.

The conference is a joint effort by Sri Lanka and India.

The conference is an outcome of bilateral talks between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian leaders during a visit to New Delhi last year.

This conference is a part of a series of joint celebrations by Sri Lanka and India to mark the 2600th anniversary of the attainment of Enlightenment of the Buddha.

The organizers yesterday identified the Conference as one which would further nurture the mutual bond of friendship between India and Sri Lanka.

The conference was organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), in association with the External Affairs Ministry, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, the SIBA and Peradeniya University. The two-day conference will be addressed by 18 eminent scholars from Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal and Vietnam.

Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary Cashian Herath and Peradeniya University Vice Chancellor S B S Abayakoon also addressed the gathering.

During the occasion the first issue of Academic Journal of SIBA Sri Lanka International Journal of Buddhist Studies was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Sri Dalada Maligawa Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara. Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Ministers Susil Premajayantha, M K D S Gunewardene, Neomal Perera and Nandimithra Ekanayake also participated.

 

Courtesy: Daily News