Indian CM calls for greater links with Lanka

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh indicated the desire to develop greater links between Sri Lanka and the state of Chattisgarh and to promote people to people contact for tourism and business during a bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam, when the latter paid an official visit to the state of Chattisgarh.

The meeting took place at Mahanandi Bhawan, the new Secretariat building of the new capital, Naya Raipur.

Chief Minister Singh presented the High Commissioner a copy of Chattisgarh 2013, which depicts the potential of the state for international trade and business.

The High Commissioner met Tourism and Culture Minister Brij Mohan Agrawal and other senior officials as well.

High Commissioner Kariyawasam was the Guest of Honour at the inauguration of the three day National Dance and Music Festival at Sirpur, Chattisgarh at the invitation of the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Dr Singh, welcoming the High Commissioner, stated that like Sri Lanka, Sirpur is well known for its Buddhist heritage, as Sirpur's past was replete with ancient Buddhist monuments which may soon become a place of interest for all Buddhists.

High Commissioner Kariyawasam appreciating the progress made by Chattisgarh state since its creation in 2000 and underlining the importance of preserving ancient Buddhist cultural heritage in Sirpur, complimented the authorities in Chattisgarh for their efforts in discovering the ancient glory of Sirpur.

Sirpur is an ancient city which thrived in the 5th to 7th century AD on the banks of river Mahanadi as a major trading centre and a Buddhist and Hindu religious centre. Several important Buddhist and Hindu monuments were recently excavated in Sirpur manifesting its glorious past.

High Commissioner Kariyawasam visited several Buddhist sites in Sirpur during his stay and observed the efforts taken to unearth and preserve important historical sites.