Sri Lankan delegation visits Borobudur Temple

June 18 (Daily Mirror) - A delegation from the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy visited Indonesia's iconic Borobudur Temple as part of a Religious Familiarization Trip aimed at strengthening cultural, spiritual, and people-to-people ties between Indonesia and Sri Lanka, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Colombo said.

The visit, held on June 16, saw the Sri Lankan delegation tour Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The delegation comprised Ven. Dr. Pannila Ananda Thero, J.P., Director of International Affairs Gamini Ranjit Bandara, and Coordinating Secretary for Buddhist Affairs W.M.R.L. Jayampathy Weddagala.

According to the Embassy, the visit underscored the long-standing historical and cultural links between Indonesia and Sri Lanka while reaffirming the role of Buddhist heritage in fostering mutual understanding and friendship. Built during the 8th and 9th centuries, Borobudur remains one of Indonesia's most significant cultural and religious landmarks, attracting pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

The Embassy also noted that Indonesia is represented at the International Buddhist Museum within the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic complex in Kandy through a dedicated exhibition featuring a miniature model of Borobudur Temple. The display highlights Indonesia's rich Buddhist heritage and introduces the cultural significance of Borobudur to international visitors and pilgrims in Sri Lanka.

The familiarization programme is expected to promote religious tourism, strengthen Buddhist cultural exchanges, and create new opportunities for cooperation in heritage preservation, educational exchanges, and pilgrimage tourism.