Fillip for Lanka-Myanmar ties

Chamikara Weerasinghe

KANDY: A delegation from Myanmar headed by Acting Prime Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Sein met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday at the President’s House in Kandy to hold bi-lateral talks.

The delegation , comprising six ministers from the Myanmar Government, including Foreign Minister U Nyan win, Trade Minister Briggen Tin naing, Transport Minister Maj-gen arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday.

The delegation held discussions on several topics with a focus to develop bi-lateral relationships between the two countries. Prime Minister Ratanasiri Wickramanayaka was also present.

The two parties discussed on expanding tourism between the two countries among other topics.

Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Investment Promotion Minister Sarath Amunugama , Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Ministers C. B. Ratnayaka , Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena , Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka and Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbakaduwa were also present.

Meanwhile Acting Prime Minister of Myanmar, Lt. Gen. Thein Sein yesterday handed over the letter regarding Myanmar Government’s gift of two tuskers for the Sri Dalada Maligawa, to Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake in a magnanimous gesture signifying historic, religious and cultural relationships between the two countries for the last 2,500 years.

The official letter was handed over to the Prime Minister at a ceremony at the Audience Hall of the Dalada Maligawa in the presence of Mahanayaka Theras of the main Chapters.

Mahanayaka Thera of Malwatte Chapter, Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera and Mahanayaka Thera of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Thera presided.

Prime Minister Wickramanayaka handed over the official letter that confers the rights of the tuskers to Sri Lanka to Diyawadane Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara.

They were given new names Buruma Raja (King of Burma) and Myan Raja (King of Myan) in place of their earlier names Kaimanshu and Mataka before they were accepted to the Temple (Maligawa).

Acting Prime Minister of Myanmar Sein said relationships between Sri Lanka and his country were destined to last forever, and the handing over of two tuskers has paved the way for further development of its goodwill and friendship for healthier bi-lateral relationship.