Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navypays homage to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
 

The Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral Sunil Lanba paid homage to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi during his visit to Anuradhapura yesterday (1). The Indian CNS showed very keen interest in the ancient maritime connections between the two countries during his visit.

Historical evidences show that Terani Sangamitta, who sailed in a ship from Thotlakonda, an ancient harbour few kilometres North of India’s Eastern Fleet base Vizag or Vishakapatnam, landed in ‘Mathagal’, a village located about 4 kilometres away from Kankesanthurai Harbour. Terani Sangamitta’s ship carried the sapling from the historical Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Sri Maha Bodhi was planted in 249 BC and stands as the oldest historical human-planted tree in the world. This historical religious event is a fine example for the age-old naval relationships and friendship between India and Sri Lanka, the Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy opined.

During this tour, Admiral Lanba also paid homage to Ruwanwelisaya, Jethawanaramaya and took much interest in observing the “Moonstone” (Sandahadapahana),a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. The occasion was attended by Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Merril Wickramasinghe, senior officers and Defence Advisor of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Captain Prakash Gopalan along with senior Indian naval officers. Mementoes were also exchanged to mark the significance of this visit.