Sri Lanka-Myanmar ties centuries old

Indika Polkotuwa

Relations between Myanmar and Sri Lanka which dates back to many centuries, were mainly based on the Buddha Dhamma, said Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Speaking at the opening of the new three-storeyed building for the historic Burmese Viharaya in the World heritage town of Kandy, the Minister said that the relationship between the two countries were very important. Minister Gunawardena recalled with gratitude the contributions made by the people of Myanmar for the building of many religious places in Sri Lanka.

Ven Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayaka Thera of the Malwatte Chapter said that Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and India were the countries given priority as Buddhist countries while Myanmar was given top priority as a Buddhist country.