January 19, Colombo (LNW): Plans are under way for a high-level discussion later this month on the public exposition of Sacred Relics of the Buddha, which are due to be brought from India early next year.
Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the meeting will take place on January 21 under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The Minister made the announcement during a visit to Colombo’s Gangaramaya Temple, where he inspected the premises and reviewed early arrangements for the state-backed religious event. He confirmed that the exposition is scheduled to run from February 04 to 11, 2026, with preparatory work already in progress.
Dr Jayatissa said the aim is to ensure that devotees across the country are given a rare and meaningful opportunity to venerate the sacred relics. He noted that the proposal originated during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka last April, when President Dissanayake requested that arrangements be made for public homage. The Indian leader later agreed to facilitate the transfer of the relics for this purpose.
According to the Minister, the exposition will begin at Gangaramaya Temple shortly after Independence Day and will continue for a week. He described the event as especially significant for the nation, coming in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, and said organisers are taking wider social and logistical considerations into account to ensure a smooth and dignified observance.
