‘Visakha Festival’ celebrations start

Islamabad: The ‘Visakha Festival’ or Buddha Day celebrations started here on Monday in the presence of a 50-member delegation of monks, devotees and media persons from Sri Lanka. The Buddhist pilgrims perform their religious rituals in Pakistan every year.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui inaugurated the celebrations. Sri Lankan Minister of Primary Industries Daya Gamage and Mrs. Doctor Gamage were also present. The ceremony was also attended by Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan Major General (r) Jayanath Lokuketagodage.

National History and Literary Division Secretary S. Mohsin Haqani, Joint Secretary Mashhood Mirza and other senior officials of the Division were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Adviser to the Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui said that they feel proud to be custodians of holy relics and Buddhist monasteries.

He expressed hope that mutual cooperation and friendship would further grow between the two friendly countries, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in future.

He said that the government was alive to its national and international responsibilities for proper preservation, protection and projection of holy establishments of all faiths on the soil of our country.