Sacred relics of the Buddha to be venerated at Gangaramaya from Feb 4–11

The veneration of the Sacred Relics of the Buddha, to be brought to Sri Lanka with the intervention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the full patronage of the Government of India, will be held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo from February 4 to 11.

A discussion to review preliminary organisational arrangements was held today (21) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala and Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the corporeal relics of the Buddha were discovered during excavations carried out in the Indian state of Gujarat in the 1960s and have never previously been taken out of India. The opportunity for Sri Lankans to venerate these sacred relics has been made possible following discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Sri Lanka.

The Sacred Relics are scheduled to arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, on February 4.

Extensive discussions were also held on arrangements from the arrival of the Sacred Relics in Sri Lanka until their return to India, including security, logistics and the responsibilities of relevant institutions.

The Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, the Venerable Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thera, said it is the President’s expectation that all necessary facilities be provided to ensure that the large number of devotees visiting Colombo for the veneration do not face inconvenience. He also outlined the preparations already undertaken by the Gangaramaya Temple.