Sri Lankan armed force personnel and their family members have bee given an opportunity to visit Bodh Gaya India on a special pilgrimage organized by Indian High Commission in Colombo.
This was the second edition of special pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya from 15 - 18 June 2019 for 160 personnel of Sri Lanka armed forces and their families.
It may be recalled that the special pilgrimage was started last year based on discussions held between the two countries towards increasing interaction between armed forces personnel of both countries, Indian High Commission spokesperson said.
During the trip, the Sri Lanka armed forces personnel and their families visited the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, 80 feet statue of Buddha, Rajgir and Nalandamuseum.
The Indian contingent who has arrived on a special request of Commander of Sri Lanka Army would visit important places in Sri Lanka. This includes a visit to Kandy where they would pay their homage at the Temple of the Tooth Relic and Galle.
This is the first time when such large delegation of Indian armed forces with their families has arrived in Sri Lanka to undertake a visit. An Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft was specially deployed for transportation of the Sri Lankan and Indian contingents.
In addition to cultural and historical immersion, large scale interaction between armed forces personnel and their families would be undertaken both in India and Sri Lanka.
This would provide an ideal platform to develop personal and everlastingbonds of friendship between the armed forces of the two countries which are already sharing a very deep and robust professional relationship.
Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the HighCommissioner of India to Sri Lanka and Lt General Mahesh Senananyake, Commanderof Sri Lanka Army were at the airport to receive the Indian delegation visiting Sri Lanka and send off the Sri Lankan delegation for their visit to India.
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