High Commission of India

Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Over a Million Devotees Venerate the Holy Devnimori Relics

Exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics concludes successfully

 The Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka on February 04, 2026, have departed for India on February 11, 2026, after the successful conclusion of the Exposition at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo. The Holy Relics were accompanied by Shri Mangubhai C. Patel, Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Shri Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on their return journey. At the ceremonial departure in Bandaranaike International Airport, Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and H.E. Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka were present to see off the Holy Relics.

2. During the visit, the delegation led by Governor of Madhya Pradesh, and Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh met Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Hon. Anton Jayakody, Deputy Minister of Environment, and Hon. Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya, Governor of North Western Province. In addition, the dignitaries interacted with members of the Indian-origin community in Sri Lanka.
   
   
3. The Exposition was inaugurated by President of Sri Lanka H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, from the Sri Lankan side and Governor of Gujarat Shri Acharya Devvrat, and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Harsh Sanghavi from the Indian side in the presence of Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero at the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo on February 04, 2026. The week-long Exposition saw over a million devotees paying their respects. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya and several Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka, as well as the Hon. Speaker, Hon. Leader of Opposition, former Presidents and numerous other Members of Parliament paid their respects during the course of the Exposition.
   
   
4. The Exposition marked the first public veneration of these Holy Relics outside of India. Complementing the exposition, two exhibitions titled“Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa”and “Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India” were also held to showcase the shared Buddhist heritage of India and Sri Lanka.
   
   
5. The Exposition was announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. The Exposition further reinforced the spiritual and cultural linkages between the two civilizational partners. India remains committed to deepening the linkages between both countries through continued bilateral initiatives and regular exchanges between the monastic and scholarly communities.

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Colombo

11 February 2026

Sinhala PR - Over a Million Devotees Venerate the Holy Devnimori Relics

Tamil PR - Over a Million Devotees Venerate the Holy Devnimori Relics