COLOMBO A high-level delegation from the National Vietnam Buddhist Sangha led by Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, concluded a brief visit to Sri Lanka following meetings with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and high-ranking officials and chiefs of Nayaka theros (Asgiri and Mawalthu), both sides discussed and agreed to further promote fine traditional friendship cooperation, including temple to temple relations
Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien is also a Member of the Parliament of Vietnam tenure XV; Vice President and Secretary General of the Executive Board, the Head of International Buddhist Affairs, and Vice President of the Vietnam-Sri Lanka Friendship Association visited Sri Lanka with the aim to further strengthening people to people relations among two countries and cultural and Buddhist cooperation in particular
The delegation paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister, Ministers for Foreign Affairs, for Buddhasasana and State Minister for regional cooperation. The Secretary General of the island Buddassana council met the delegation in Colombo
During a courtesy call on Prime Minister, the delegation handed over a donation of $20,000 for medicine and medical supplies to help the needy Sri Lankans
The delegation received warm welcome with special rituals and ceremonies while visiting sacred places in Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweliseya, Tooth Relic, Mahiyangana and Gangaramaya temples.
Ambassador of Vietnam Ho THI THANH TRUC who was in attendance of the delegation told Colombo Times: “ I’m very pleased with the outcome of the visit as it served as continuous commitment of Vietnam always attaching the importance of strengthening bilateral fine relations and multilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka.”
