**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Culture reports on the arrival and exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka, marking a moment of spiritual and cultural significance. The exposition was inaugurated at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on February 4, 2026, and will be open for public veneration from February 5, 2026. This event coincides with Sri Lanka's 78th Independence Day.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Arrival and Honours:**
* The relics arrived in Sri Lanka via a special Indian Air Force aircraft.
* The relics were accorded full State Honours.
* A high-level Indian delegation, including the Governor and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, accompanied the relics.
* **Exposition Details:**
* The exposition was inaugurated at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on February 4, 2026.
* Inauguration was done by the President of Sri Lanka and dignitaries from both countries.
* The exposition is open for public veneration from February 5, 2026.
* **Significance and Context:**
* The event strengthens cultural and spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka.
* It reaffirms India's commitment to deepening spiritual and cultural ties with Sri Lanka, following an announcement by the Prime Minister of India in April 2025.
* The event coincides with Sri Lanka's 78th Independence Day.
* It is the first public veneration of the Devnimori Relics outside of India.
* Two exhibitions, "Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa" and "Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of Contemporary India," were also inaugurated.
**Impact Analysis**
**Sri Lankan Public & Buddhist Devotees**
* **Impact**: Opportunity for public veneration of the Holy Devnimori Relics.
* **Action Required**: Visit the Gangaramaya Temple from February 5, 2026, to pay homage to the relics.
**Government of Sri Lanka**
* **Impact**: Strengthened cultural and diplomatic ties with India; recognition of the country's 78th Independence Day.
* **Action Required**: Continue to foster bilateral relations and support cultural exchange programs.
**Government of India**
* **Impact**: Reinforcement of commitment to strengthening spiritual and cultural ties with Sri Lanka.
* **Action Required**: Continue to support cultural initiatives and provide grant assistance for projects promoting Buddhist ties.
Key Entities Referenced
Sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha: Central subject of the exposition and event, representing shared Buddhist heritage between India and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka: The location where the Sacred Relics were brought for exposition, integral to the event's purpose.
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo: Specific location in Sri Lanka where the exposition of the Sacred Relics was inaugurated and held.
Ministry of Culture: Indian ministry associated with the event, suggesting potential involvement in its organization or support.
Ministry of Culture
Sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha arrive in
Sri Lanka with full state honours
Exposition of Sacred Relics Inaugurated in Gangaramaya
Temple, Colombo
The Event Marks a Moment of Deep Civilisational and
Spiritual Ties between India and Sri Lanka
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 11:13AM by PIB Delhi
The arrival and exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka mark a moment of
profound spiritual, cultural, and civilisational significance, further strengthening the enduring bonds
between India and Sri Lanka rooted in their shared Buddhist heritage.
The Sacred Relics arrived in Sri Lanka by a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force and were accorded full
State Honours, in accordance with established India–Sri Lanka protocol. A high-level Indian delegation
led by the Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri
Harsh Sanghavi, accompanied the Relics. Senior Buddhist monks, government officials, and other
distinguished dignitaries were also part of the delegation.
The Exposition follows the announcement made by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening spiritual
and cultural ties with Sri Lanka. During the visit, the Prime Minister had also announced grant assistance
for the development of the Sacred City Complex project in Anuradhapura, in addition to the USD 15
million grant announced in 2020 for the promotion of Buddhist ties.The Exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics was inaugurated in 4th February, 2026 at the revered
Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo, by H.E. President of Sri Lanka, Shri Anura Kumara Dissanayake, from
the Sri Lankan side, along with the Governor of Gujarat and the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat from
the Indian side, in the presence of the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji
Thero.Several senior dignitaries from the Government of Sri Lanka were present on the occasion, including Hon.
(Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Hon. (Dr.)
Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health & Mass Media; and Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Minister of
Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
Two exhibitions titled “Unearthing the Sacred Piprahwa” and “Sacred Relic and Cultural Engagement of
Contemporary India” were also inaugurated at the Gangaramaya Temple as part of the exposition.
The Holy Relics were ceremonially received with traditional religious rites and enshrined at the
Gangaramaya Temple. The Exposition will be open for public veneration from 05 February 2026, enabling
devotees from Sri Lanka and across the world to pay homage. The arrival of the Sacred Relics coincided
with Sri Lanka’s 78th Independence Day, adding special significance to the event. This Exposition
represents the first public veneration of the Devnimori Relics outside India. Earlier, India had organised
expositions of the Kapilavastu Relics in 2012 and the Sarnath Relics in 2018 in Sri Lanka.The exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics stands as a living testament to the timeless teachings of Lord
Buddha—compassion, peace, and non-violence—and reflects the deep-rooted civilisational relationship
between India and Sri Lanka, further strengthening cultural, spiritual, and people-to-people ties between
the two nations
***
M Annadurai
(Release ID: 2223547) Visitor Counter : 650
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