A meeting on strengthening relations between Sri Lanka and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week. The meeting, chaired by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, was attended by the Heads of Mission of ASEAN countries based in Sri Lanka.
Among the participants were Heads of Missions of Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and senior officials of the Ministry. Ven. Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thera, who serves as the Secretary of All-Island Buddhasasana Council, also took part in the discussion. It focused on strengthening connectivity with ASEAN countries, including Buddhist religious connectivity that has existed for over thousands of years. State Minister Balasuriya stated that the exchange of visits could also include sharing the rich traditions and cultures of Sri Lanka and ASEAN countries, such as martial arts, Ayurveda and the arts. He added that the links established from the exchange of visits could lead to further collaboration between the two parties.
The Heads of Mission of ASEAN countries welcomed the State Minister’s proposal on initiating visits of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks to ASEAN countries, and strengthening Buddhist religious ties through a programme which aims to connect Sri Lankan Buddhist temples with leading Buddhist temples of ASEAN countries with the participation of the private sector.
Source By themorning.lk
