Sri Lankan President’s Lumbini Visit

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on a three day official visit of Nepal has visited Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha yesterday, October 30th. The Sri Lankan president and his team were brought to Lumbini by a special helicopter of the Nepal Army. Chief District Officer of Rupandehi was also present at the time to welcome the Sri Lankan president.

Rajapaksa also inaugurated monastery constructed on the aid of Sri Lankan government. On the occasion, information officer of the Lumbini Development Fund, Hari Dhoj Rai informed Rajapaksa about the Lumbini master plan.

Talking briefly to media persons, Rajapaksa said that since his childhood he had been yearning to visit Lumbini and finally his long wish fulfilled now. Rajapaksa added that it is the responsibility of the whole world including Sri Lanka to lend a hand in the development of Lumbini. Personally, he also donated US$ 10,000 for the development of Lumbini, and he also predicted that Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting Lumbini would noticeably increase in the future.

Lumbini, situated in the south-central Terai of Nepal is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage site and is the fourth prime tourist destination in Nepal. Lumbini being the birth place of Lord Buddha – the apostle of tranquility and peace, is a sacred place for Buddhists from all over the world. Almost 20,000 tourists visit Lumbini every year.