India’s US $ 15 million commitment to develop SL Buddhist heritage PM Modi asks Indian High Commissioner to spend US $ 3 million annually

• Prof. Peiris made his remarks to the press on the progress achieved during his engagements with his counterparts of other countries and the multinational fora

By Kelum Bandara

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to take measures to spend at least US $ 3 million annually out of US $ 15 million pledged for the development of Buddhist heritage and Hindu temples in Sri Lanka and report to New Delhi, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

A day after returning to the country after wrapping up his visit to Italy, Geneva and New York, Prof. Peiris made his remarks to the press on the progress achieved during his engagements with his counterparts of other countries and the multinational fora.  

The Minister said he had fruitful engagement with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar who informed him about Prime Modi’s special attention to Sri Lanka.  “Prime Minister Modi has created a US $ 15 million fund to develop Buddhist Viharas and Hindu Kovils. The Prime Minister has instructed Indian envoy Gopal Baglay in Colombo to spend US $ 3 million out of it annually and report it to New Delhi,” he said.