Buddhist lay and clergy representatives from 32 countries here for conference

The Colombo Summit held under the South China Sea Region Buddhist Shenzhen Round Table Conference 2023 commenced from yesterday (12) at the BMICH premises.

The participation of Buddhist lay and clergy representatives from 32 countries is a special feature of holding this conference in Sri Lanka. Along with this, arrangements have been made to hold many activities including an education conference and a youth conference.

This year’s summit will be held to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the introduction of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This year’s round table session, which is held under the theme ‘Together in harmony, gain light through the wisdom of the Silk Road’, was chaired by one of China’s most senior dignitaries, Venerable Master Yin Xun. The hosting contribution of the conference is done by the Gangarama Temple in Colombo.

The 2023 South China Sea Buddhist Shenzhen Round Table Conference has been organized under the leadership of Ven.Galboda Gnanissara Thera of Gangarama Temple and at the invitation of Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera of Gangarama Temple.

The conference will be held till December 14 with the participation of respected monks, scholars and political representatives representing 32 countries. More than 400 representatives from home and abroad are participating in this programme.

In conjunction with the conference, Chinese surgeons will perform 100 cataract surgeries, and arrangements have been made to hold a youth conference together with the Sub-Forum of Buddhist Education and the Kelaniya University. In addition, an offering of alms and a procession will be held on the occasion of the 80th birthday of Ven. Dr. Galboda Gnanissara Thera and an Ashirvada Pooja for world peace.

Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana, Minister of Buddhism, Religious Affairs and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Chi Shen Hong, Head of the Chinese National Religious Affairs and Relations Administration Chen Ray Fong, several other ministers and MPs, diplomatic representatives, and a large number of university students attended this event.

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