The visit of the Sri Lankan Buddhist monks delegation under the Temple-to-Temple Diplomacy program

Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk delegation consisted of Most Venerable Kerewalapiye Sumedha Thero of Mulagandakuti Maha Vihara Pirivena in Welisra and Senior Committee  member of the Ramannanikaya Sanga Council, Venerable Kadawalagedra Dhammakithi, Chief Incumbent of Kadawalagedra Wimalodya Maha Pirivena and the Chief Secretary of  Sasanaraksha Committee Panduwasnuwara, Venerable Weerapkune Sumangala Thero, the Chief Monk of Ethkanda Wiharaya, Kurunegala and the Divisional Chief Secretary of Sasanarkshaka Committee, Kurunegala undertook a visit to Viet Nam from 04th -15th October 2023 under Temple to Temple Diplomacy program initiated by Hon. Tharaka Balasooriya, State Minister of  Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks delegation visited and stayed in Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province, Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam Province, Chau Bang Pagoda in Hoang Mai District and Long Hung pagoda in Ha Noi.

During the visit,  the Sri Lankan Buddhist monk’s delegation had a meeting with the high priest authorities of Quan Su Pagoda on 10 October 2023 where the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha Head Quarters located. Prof. A Saj U Mendis Sri Lanka Ambassador to Viet Nam also participated in the meeting while expressing his sincere thanks to the Viet Nam Buddhist Sangha for extending local hospitalities for the visit.

This visit renewed Sri Lanka Viet Nam Buddhist cultural relations while adding new impetus to enhance pilgrim tourism between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka  as well as to exchange knowledge on Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist norms, values and traditions.