Lumbini, Sept 1, 2018: President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena visited Lumbini today. The President was accompanied by the first lady Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari, the spouse of the President, Sri Lankan State Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Vasantha Senanayake, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ravinatha Aryasinha, Director General of Economic Affairs Saroja Sirisena and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal HE Wellage Swarnalatha Parera, and other delegates.  

His Excellency President and his entourage were received and welcomed in the Sacred Garden of Lumbini by Hon. Uma Kanta Jha, the governor, Chief Minister Hon. Shankar Pokhrel and Member of Province Assembly Hon. Fakhruddin Khan of Province No. 5; Federal Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Rabindra Adhikari, Vice Chairman Ven. Metteyya Sakyaputta, Treasurer Surendra Muni Shakya, Act. Member Secretary Er. Saroj Bhattarai, Executive Board Members Hon. Durga Pd. Upadhyaya, Mr. Rajesh Gyawali, Mr. Amarika Kohar and staff and officials of Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), representatives of Culture ministry, security and media persons in Lumbini.     

The President paid homage to the birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha in Mayadevi Temple and observed ancient monuments of World Heritage Property: Marker Stone, Nativity Sculpture, Asoka pillar, Sacred pond and archaeological remains in vicinity of Sacred Complex. Archaeologist Basant Bidari explained the President and his entourage about archaeology and history of Lumbini. A group of Buddhist monks and nuns led by Ven. Maitri Mahasthavir performed Buddhist Puja to the President and his entourage near the Sacred Pond.

Culture Minister and Chairman of LDT Hon. Rabindra Adhikari stated about friendly and cultural relationship between Nepal and Sri Lanka. The minister appreciated Government of Sri Lanka’s assistance in conservation of cultural heritages in Nepal. The Minister Adhikari also expressed sincere gratefulness to the HE President and his entourage for visiting Lumbini, the birthplace of lord Buddha and fountain of Buddhism and world peace.    

The President expressed delightedness to visit Lumbini and pay homage to the holy birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha while being in Nepal to attend the fourth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The President also articulated the willingness of Sri Lankan government to extend cooperation in implementation of the Lumbini Master Plan. 

Vice Chair of LDT Ven. Metteyya Sakyaputta expressed gratefulness and warm welcome to the President and his entourage from behalf of Lumbini Development Trust during welcome speech. The program conducted by Gyanin Rai, Chief of LDT Liaison Office, Kathmandu. 

The President and his entourage also visited to Sri Lankan Monastery and Mahabodhi Society Monastery at the East Monastic Zone of Lumbini. The President also visited to Sri Lankan Pilgrim Rest built by the Government of Sri Lanka in Lumbini. He inspected the Rest House and planted a sapling in its vicinity.