The statue of "fasting Buddha" sent by Pakistan to Sri Lanka has been put on display in one of the main temples of Colombo for the Vesak celebrations.
Pakistan despatched, as a special gesture of goodwill and friendship, the statue of "Fasting Buddha" to Sri Lanka. The decision was taken in response to a request made by President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse during his recent visit to Pakistan.
The statue was handed over to the chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihariya by the Pakistani High Commissioner Bashir Wali in a special ceremony in the Sri Lankan capital which was also attended by the Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Cultural Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane.
Special arrangements were made by the government to shift the statue from the National Museum, Lahore to Sri Lanka in view of the country's close and cordial relations with Sri Lanka.
It would remain on public display for two days on the eve of National Buddhist Festival of Vesak to mark 2550th year of Buddha Jayanthi.
The government and people of Sri Lanka have expressed gratitude to Pakistan for the gesture.