Indian HC organises second Bodh Gaya pilgrimage for SL Security Forces | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Indian HC organises second Bodh Gaya pilgrimage for SL Security Forces

16 June, 2019

The High Commission of India organised the second edition of a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya from June 15 - 18 2019 for 160 personnel of the Sri Lanka Security Forces and their families.

The initiative commenced last year following discussions between the two countries aimed at increasing interaction and bonhomie between Security Forces personnel of both countries.

This year’s trip has built on and expanded over the last one by not only having an increase in duration from two to four days but also with the inclusion of a reciprocal visit by 160 Indian Security Forces personnel and their families to Sri Lanka.

During the trip, the Sri Lanka Security Forces personnel and their families would visit the sacred Mahabodhi Temple, the 80 feet statue of Buddha, Rajgir and the Nalanda museum.

The Indian contingent which has arrived on a special request made by the Commander, Sri Lanka Army would visit important places in Sri Lanka. This includes a visit to Kandy where they would pay their respects at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a visit to Galle. This is the first time that such a large delegation of the Indian Security Forces with their families has arrived in Sri Lanka to undertake a visit. An Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft was specially deployed for transportation of the Sri Lankan and Indian contingents.

In addition to cultural and historical immersion, large scale interaction between Security Forces personnel and their families would be undertaken in India and Sri Lanka.

This would provide an ideal platform to develop personal and everlasting bonds of friendship between the Security Forces of the two countries which already share a very deep and robust professional relationship.

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Lt General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army were at the airport to receive the Indian delegation visiting Sri Lanka and send off the Sri Lankan delegation for their visit to India. 

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