Sri Lanka’s HC Moragoda meets CM and Governor on official visit to State of Odisha

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner (HC) to India Milinda Moragoda who is on a three-day official visit to the State of Odisha met with the Chief Minister (CM) and the Governor of the State.

HC Moragoda’s meet with Odisha CM Shri Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday (22) was at Naveen Niwas in Bhubaneswar. Their very cordial discussion, recalled the historical ties and deep cultural bond between the State of Odisha and Sri Lanka.

The ways and means to further enhance air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Odisha were also discussed. With a view to further strengthening people to people contacts, the CM and HC agreed to work on the preparation of a guide book containing the important Buddhist sites in Odisha for the use of Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims and tourists. HC Moragoda invited CM Patnaik to undertake a visit to Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time.

Symbolizing the historical connection between Sri Lanka and the State of Odisha, HC Moragoda presented to CM Patnaik, a large photograph of a Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara mural by Solias Mendis, which depicts Prince Danta and Princess Hemamala bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha from Kalinga (modern day Odisha) to Lanka.

The first president of the Biju Janata Dal party since 1997, Shri Naveen Patnaik has been holding the post of Chief Minister of Odisha since 2000. He is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha and as of 2023, one of the longest-serving chief ministers of any Indian State, holding the post for over two decades.

HC Moragoda met with the Governor of the State of Odisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal on the same day at the Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.

The Governor extended a warm welcome to the HC and the subsequent discussion was held in a very cordial manner.

Their discussion focused on further enhancing the relations between Sri Lanka and Odisha. The HC invited Governor Lal to visit Sri Lanka.

HC Moragoda also presented to the Governor a stone obtained from the stream flowing besides the Seetha Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya (Ashoka Vatika) in Sri Lanka, which is believed to be the site where Seetha was held captive according to the Ramayana.

HC Moragoda was accompanied to these meetings by Minister (Administration) of the HC of Sri Lanka in New Delhi Upul Pushpakumara and Minister Counsellor Gamini Sarath Godakanda.

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