The Indian High Commissioner has held meetings with Senior Monks of the Maha Sangha, to address their concerns about the two recent unfortunate incidents involving assaults on Sri Lankan Buddhist monks in the Tamil Nadu state of India.

He underlined that these were isolated incidents and did not reflect the strong people-to-people bonds that had been an integral part of the close historical, cultural and civilisational ties between the two countries. In this context, he recalled that the state government of Tamil Nadu had taken immediate action to identify and prosecute the miscreants responsible for these incidents.

The Government of India, in consultation with the concerned state governments, had taken and will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of Sri Lankan visitors to India, including to Tamil Nadu.

The meeting at India House on March 23, 2013 was attended by Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero; Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero; Ven. Kirima Wimalajoti Nayaka Thero; Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero; Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thero; Ven. H. Kondangna Thero; Ven. Galagoda Attha Gnanasara Thero and Mr. Vasantha De Silva, Secretary Mahabodhi Society.

Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, briefed the gathering and expressed appreciation towards the extensive arrangements made by the Tamil Nadu police in recent days, to provide security for Sri Lankan pilgrims.

During another meeting on March 20, 2013, attended by Ven. Prof. Bellanwilla Wimalaratna Anunayake Thero; Ven. Dr. Ittapana Damalankara Anunayake Thero; Ven. Dr. Brahmanawathe Sivalee Thero; Ven. Dr. Akuretiye Nanda Thero; Ven. Dr. Nagoda Amarawansa Thero; and Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero, there was a useful exchange of views on the need to enhance security for Sri Lankan pilgrims and to maintain the centuries-old cultural and civilisational links.

It was agreed that the High Commission would hold consultations with the Ministry of Buddhasasana Affairs on any additional measures required in this regard. The Deputy High Commissioner had accordingly met M. K. B. Dissanayake, Secretary, Buddhasana Affairs, on March m21, to follow up on this suggestion.

The High Commissioner noted that people-to-people contacts constituted one of the fundamental pillars on which the edifice of the bilateral relationship rested.  It was noteworthy that nearly 250,000 Sri Lankan nationals visited India and over 175,000 Indian nationals visited Sri Lanka in 2012. Sri Lanka’s bonds with India, including the state of Tamil Nadu, were historic and went back many centuries.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)