World Buddhist Congress honors Sri Lanka President

The World Buddhist Congress has presented its highest award to Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was the chief guest at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Congress held in the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday.


China's Director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA), Wang Zuoan and Director General Palop Thiyari presented the President with the World Fellowship of Buddhists' Grand Award for his invaluable service to the well-being of Buddha Sasana and for the Buddhist revival in the island.


A large number of Buddhist clergy and laymen including several ministers participated at the ceremony. Chairman of the World Buddhist University Council and Organization Committee Dr. Ananda Guruge, and Honorary President of All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Jagath Sumathipala also were present at the event.
The Congress commenced its 25th conference in Colombo on Sunday, November 14 under the theme 'Reconciliation through Buddhism.' The conference will end today.
Around 600 international delegates representing 164 regional centers from 41 countries participated in the conference. Another 3,000 local delegates also attended the conference that was held in Sri Lanka for the first time in 26 years.
(Photos by Sudath Silva)