The signing ceremony of MoU between the All-Island Buddha Sasana Council of Sri Lanka and the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha

Memorandum of Understanding between the All-Island Buddha Sasana Council (Samastha Lanka Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya) of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was signed at the Quansu Pagoda, the Head Quarters of Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha on 15th April 2024.

Most Venerable Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero, Secretary General of the All-Island Buddha Sasana Council was the signatory form the Sri Lankan side and Most Venerable Dr. Thich Thanh Nhieu Standing Vice President of VBS and the Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien – Vice President and the Secretary General of VBS were the signatories to the aforementioned MoU.

Prof. Saj Mendis, Sri Lanka Ambassador to Viet Nam and the Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Viet Nam also participated at the event . Prof. Saj Mendis, Sri Lanka Ambassador to Viet Nam reviewed the Sri Lanka – Viet Nam Bilateral relations in general and Sri Lanka -Viet Nam Buddhist relations in particular while highlighting the significant role played by the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha in strengthening Sri Lanka -Viet Nam Buddhist relations.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Viet Nam in coordination with the Ministry of Buddhasasana & Culture and Religious Affairs in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka facilitated the signing of the aforementioned MoU.

Signing of the aforementioned MoU is considered as one of the milestone of Sri Lanka -Viet Nam Buddhist relations laying solid foundation for strengthening Buddhist relations in the sphere of exchanging Buddhist delegations, Buddhist education, temple to temple relations and promoting Buddhist cultural products such as pilgrim tourism , Buddhist festivals and Buddhist films of Sri Lanka and Viet Nam .

Further, the signing of the aforementioned MOU is considered as one of the major substantive outcomes of the Temple-to-Temple Diplomacy program of the Government of Sri Lanka. The Embassy of Viet Nam in Sri Lanka also played a significant role in facilitating and coordinating with the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha to initiate the aforementioned MoU.