A delegation headed by Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thero, President of Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka is  visiting China on 20^th September 2017; on an invitation extended by the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) and coordinated by the Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association with the assistance of the Cultural Section of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka.

The Delegation comprise of:-

1、Ven. Banagala Upatissa，President of Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka

2、Mr. Dilshan Jayasuriya，Secretary of Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka

3、Mr. Channa Kalugampitiya，Vice President of Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka

4、Ven. Prof. Medagampitiya Wijithadahamma，Head of Department of Pali and   Buddhist Studies, University of Sri Jayawardenepura

5、Mr. Chathura Jayasinghe，Assistant Secretary of Ministry of Buddhist Affairs

6、Mr. Ajith Dharmawardena，Vice President of Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association

7、Prof. Hao Weimin, Chairman of Longhua Institute of Sri Lanka

Delegation met Mr.Jiang Jianyong, the Deputy Director General of the State Administration For Religious Affairs (SARA) and held discussions about Sri Lanka-China age old Buddhist friendship and  future cooperation.

Most.Ven Bangala Upatissa Thero and the delegation called over at the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) and met Most Ven. Xue Cheng thero , The President of

The BAC. Both sides discussed the Buddhist friendship between Sri Lanka and China . Specially the  role played by Anagarika Dharmapalathuma to foster Buddhist relations and friendship between then Ceylon (Sri Lanka ) and China over a century back  . Anagarika Dahrmapalathuma in the early part of last century had visited China and had established links with Chinese Buddhist priests during the colonial period.

Most Ven. Xue Cheng thero discussed the importance of the Buddhism in the Road and Belt Initiative of the President Xi Jingping.

The delegation visits Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing from 20^th to 25^th September 2017 and will visit number of Buddhist temples including famous Jade Budha Temple in Shanghai  . Mr.Wang Li, The Director -foreign affairs of BAC and Mr.Ajith Dharmawardena Vice President of SLCBFA was present in these discussions .

Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation met H.E. Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku

The Ambassador of the of Sri Lanka in China and discussed about strengthening Buddhist friendship between two countries . This program was coordinated by Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association with the assistance of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka.