Kapilavastu Relics exposition from Aug 19

A photographic exhibition titled 'India Through Sri Lankan Eyes- Buddhist Circuit', organised by the Indian High Commission in partnership with the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka (PSSL) was inaugurated by Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Prof Tissa Vitarana in the presence of Indian High Commissioner Ashok K Kantha at the J D A Perera Gallery on Friday.

This is as a prelude to the exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka from August 19 to September 4. 'India through Sri Lankan Eyes' exhibition is curated by PSSL Past President Mithra Weerakone.

With the support of the Indian High Commission, Weerakone undertook an eight-day journey in December 2011 on the Mahaparinirvana train – a special train run by the Indian Railways starting from New Delhi covering various Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India.

The photographs display a combination of natural beauty and human devotion and capture the emotions involved, through 'Sri Lankan eyes'. The exhibition is a display of popular Buddhist sites revered and visited by a large number of Sri Lankan pilgrims to pay homage to the Buddha. Speaking at the inauguration, High Commissioner Ashok K Kantha said the exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics is being organised in Sri Lanka from August 19 to September 4 at the request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Indian Prime Minister to provide an opportunity for Buddhists in Sri Lanka to pay homage to the Kapilavastu Relics.

The exposition of Kapilavastu Relics is a continuation of joint activities between India and Sri Lanka to commemorate the 2600th anniversary of the Enlightenment of the Buddha- Sambuddhatava Jayanthi. The High Commissioner said it would be for the second time since their discovery, the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics will travel to Sri Lanka from India’s National Museum in New Delhi. The first exposition of Sacred Relics in Sri Lanka was in 1978. Kantha recalled a number of other initiatives undertaken by India to jointly celebrate the 2600th anniversary of the Attainment of Enlightenment by the Buddha – Sambuddhatva Jayanti - with Sri Lanka.

High Commissioner Kantha highlighted that the relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years and is built upon a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic ties. Senior Minister Prof Vitarana thanked India for sending the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics to Sri Lanka for an exposition and highlighted the common cultural heritage especially the bond of Buddhism between India and Sri Lanka.