ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui received holy relics from Sri Lankan delegation led by SB Navinna, Minister for Internal Affairs and Cultural Affairs here on Monday at his ministry.

The delegation comprised of Minister SB Navinna, Prof. Kollupitiya Mahinda, Sangarakhita Thero, Ms. Navinna daughter of the Minister KP Dayaratne, Private Staff of the Prime Minister and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Pakistan Maj. Gen (R) CP Lokuketagodage.

Speaking on the occasion, Adviser to the Prime Minister said great occasion for us to receive the holy relics. He said that after a gap of five years Pakistan has sent Gandharan Relics of Lord Buddha for a month long exposition in Sri Lanka for the Buddhist devotees from May 19 to June 26 on the occasion of Visak Festival in Sri Lanka.

He said that this exhibition was promised by our Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Sri Lanka in January 2016, adding that he has offered to send the holy relics of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka on regular basis. He said that after a month long exposition these Buddha relics are returned to Pakistan by a delegation, led by Minister for Internal Affairs and Cultural Affairs Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Minister for Internal Affairs and Cultural Affairs SB Navinna appreciated the gesture of the friendship expressed by the prime minister and the adviser to the PM for sending sacred relics to Sri Lanka for public exposition during Visakha festival and said it gave a great message of peace, tolerance and harmony between the two countries. He said that the holy relics exhibited at 17 places across Sri Lanka and thousands of people offered visit to see one glance of the Holy relics.

Later the Sri Lankan delegation visited Taxila Museum. During the visit the delegation offered their religious rituals and prayed at Taxila Museum. The delegation members thanked the Pakistan government for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to them.