Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena visited Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, in Rupandehi district on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan President, who arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday to take part in BIMSTEC Summit, came to Bhairahawa on a chartered flight. The hosts’ motorcade escorted him to Lumbini.

President Sirisena offered prayers at the Mayadevi Temple and lit lamps wishing for world peace. During the visit, the

Sri Lankan monks chanted holy mantras at the temple premises.

President Sirisena, who arrived along with his wife, stayed around four hours in Lumbini area and returned to Kathmandu. During his visit, he also inspected Sri Lankan monastery built on the Lumbini premises.  

The Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari, Governor of Province 5 Umakanta Jha, provincial ministers and officials representing Lumbini Development Trust welcomed Sirisena and his delegation.

Signing the visitor’s book of Lumbini Development Trust, President Sirisena said he was very happy for the opportunity to visit Buddha’s birthplace. He did not speak formally during the visit.

On behalf of President Sirisena, a foreign ministry official said that Sri Lankan government is ready to assist Nepal to develop Lumbini area and accomplish Lumbini Master Plan.

Local authorities increased security in Lumbini and the surrounding areas during the Sri Lankan President’s visit.

Nepal’s four security agencies were mobilised during the visit.