This is an activity within the framework of the State visit to Vietnam and attending the United Nations Generalment of the system of Vesak from May 4 to 6, 2025, at the invitation of Politburo member and President Luong Cuong.
Visiting Bai Dinh Pagoda, President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayaka offered incense and Buddha's Supper at the Three sources of Bai Dinh Pagoda; cut the inauguration ribbon and offer incense to pray at the sacred Border Gate tree and planted a souvenir tree in the Sala garden in the Bai Dinh Pagoda grounds.
At the welcoming ceremony, Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu - Permanent Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda, expressed his joy and honor at welcoming President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayaka.
Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu said that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha as well as the Indian Buddhist Sangha have had a close relationship for a long time. This year is the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1970 - 2025) between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
This will be an opportunity for the two sides to look back at cooperative relations after more than 5 decades of formation and development, thereby set out directions and measures to consolidate and develop friendly relations and cooperation in the context of the new situation, in accordance with the interests of the two countries, contributing to the common development, peace and cooperation in the region. At the same time, the desire to friendship between the two countries is growing, bringing good benefits to the country and people of the two countries.
Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka thanked the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha for sending an invitation to attend the 2025 United Nations General Day in Vietnam.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka emphasized that the long-standing relationship between the two countries is a very important relationship. In particular, the cultures between the two countries have many things in common based on the values of Buddhism. Therefore, both sides need to continue promoting this unique common cultural value.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka also said that today he has the opportunity to visit Bai Dinh Pagoda during his visit to Vietnam, a pagoda that plays a very important role because this is a place to preserve and protect many values of Buddhism.
"Bai Dinh pagoda is located in the population of the cultural and natural heritage of Trang An world, reflecting the importance of the temple, and the fact that Vietnam has brought the sacred Bodhi tree from Sri Lanka about planting here to show an important role in the history of the temple. The sacred Bodhi tree is surrounded by sculptures of the two countries, emphasizing the importance of the unique cultural values of the two countries," said Sri Lankara Dissanayka.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka hopes that this visit will continue to contribute to strengthening the relationship between the two sides. At the same time, I would like to express my sincere thanks to Vietnam for supporting the development of this project and believe that there will be many opportunities for cultural exchanges between the two sides in the coming time.
