COLOMBO – A special exhibition highlighting India’s Buddhist heritage was inaugurated at Sri Lanka’s National Vesak Festival 2026, underscoring deep religious and cultural ties between the two neighbouring countries.
The exhibition, titled ‘Buddhist Heritage of India’, was organized by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka and the Consulate General of India in Hambantota in coordination with the Midellawela Purana Viharaya as part of the State Vesak celebrations.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially opened the exhibition alongside Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha during the inauguration ceremony of the National Vesak Festival in Matara.
The event was attended by senior Buddhist clergy, ministers, parliamentarians, provincial leaders and government officials, including Ven. Hakmana Gnanawimala Nayaka Thera, Minister of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Industry, Sunil Handunetti.
The exhibition showcases photographs of sacred Buddhist sites and monuments across India linked to the life and teachings of The Buddha, including ancient monasteries, stupas, archaeological remains and several UNESCO World Heritage locations.
The organizers said the exhibition aims to celebrate the shared Buddhist legacy of India and Sri Lanka while strengthening cultural and spiritual connections between the two nations.
The exhibition will remain open to the public from May 27 to June 2.
Indian diplomatic officials noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Government of India to promote Buddhist ties with Sri Lanka through cultural exchanges, religious cooperation and development assistance.
Earlier this year, sacred Buddhist relics from Devnimori in Gujarat were brought to Sri Lanka for a special public exposition following an announcement by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. The exposition attracted more than one million devotees, officials said.
India has also previously facilitated public exhibitions of sacred relics from Sarnath and Kapilavastu in Sri Lanka.
In September 2020, the Government of India announced a USD 15 million grant to promote Buddhist ties between the two countries. One of the key ongoing projects under the initiative is the provision of free electricity to approximately 9,000 Buddhist temples and pirivenas across Sri Lanka through solar power systems.
During Modi’s visit earlier this year, India also pledged assistance for the development of the Anuradhapura Sacred City project.
-ENCL
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