High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Austin Fernando along with his wife offered prayers at the Buddha Temple here on Tuesday.
Mahodadhi Society of India, Odisha Branch president former Vice-Chancellor Dr Bimalendu Mohanty welcomed the couple on their arrival. Thereafter, temple trustee Dr Sourendra Kumar Mohapatra and central member Dr Aryakumar Jnanedra accompanied Austin and his spouse to the Buddha Temple and the Bodhadruma.
Fernando was informed about the glorious past of the Buddha Temple and the schoolrun by the Mahodadhi Society.
A book written on Bhagabata relation between Kalinga and Sri Lanka was presented to him by Dr Mohanty.
Fernando expressed happiness over Odisha’s Buddhist monuments and hospitalities of Odia people.
He said he would visit Buddhist sites in Odisha and take all possible steps for supporting economically week Buddhist tourists.
Among others, yoga guru Narayan Chandra Nanda and Buddhist researcher Anil Dhir were present.