President meets Thai Bhikkus

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa met a delegation of Buddhist monks from Thailand headed by Ven. Phrabbavana Viriyakhun the chief prelate of the Dhammakaya Buddhist centre in Bangkok at Temple trees on Monday.

The talks centred on the steps which should be taken to strengthen Buddhism in both countries. Both parties agreed to exchange visits of Buddhist Monks between the two countries, in addition to a number of other programmes. The chief prelate promised the President to help in establishing a Buddhist TV channel in Sri Lanka using their experience in conducting such a channel.

The Centre is also equipped with a TV relay station which caters exclusively to Buddhist programmes. The delegation also held a Pirith ceremony in front of the Sri Maha Bodhi premises inside Temple trees to invoke blessings on the President.

An invitation too was extended to the President to tour the Dhammakaya Buddhist Centre in Thailand. The event was attended by a large number of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks including Ven.Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thera, Minister Athauda Seneviratne and Diyawadana Nilame Dela Bnadara were also present.