DN page 12 m o n d a y , s e p t e m b e r 2 4 , 2 0 1 2pictorial

President Mahinda Raja-paksa who was on a three-day official visit to

India returned on Saturday. Dur-ing the official visit President Rajapaksa had talks with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Dr Manmo-han Singh. Both leaders focused

their attention on strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Indian Prime Minister Dr Man-mohan Singh while reiterating that the longstanding deep friendship existing between India and Sri Lanka should be further strengthened said spe-

cial emphasis should be laid on strengthening economic and defence ties between the two countries.

President Rajapaksa also participated in the foundation laying ceremony of the ‘Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies’.

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, MP Sajin Vaas Guna-wardena, Secretary to the Pres-ident Lalith Weeratunga, For-eign Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama and Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasd Kariyawasam were also present.

Warm welcome for President in India

President Mahinda Rajapaksa meeting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee for talks

President Mahinda Rajapaksa having official talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh

The President offering flowers at the Sanchi Viharaya

Chief Sanghnayake of Japan and Chief Incumbent of the Dambadiva Sanchi Viharaya Ven. Banagala Upathissa Thera placing the Sacred Relics Casket of Sariyuth and Mugalan Agrasravaka Arahat Theras on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s head to bless him

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presenting a Sacred Bo sapling from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura to be planted at the Sanchi Stupa

The President planting a mango plant at Sanchi to mark the occasion

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the delegation on a tour of the Sanchi StupaThe Sanchi Stupa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa participating in the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the ‘Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies’ at Madhya Pradesh, India

The President participating in religious activities before the foundation laying ceremony at the ‘Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies’. Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society president, Chief Sanghnayake of Japan and Chief Incum-bent of the Dambadiva Sanchi Viharaya Ven. Banagala Upa-thissa Thera was also present

President Mahinda Rajapaksa greeting the crowd at Sanchi along with Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Yoser Thinley and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa with Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society president, Chief Sanghnayake of Japan and Chief Incumbent of the Dambadiva Sanchi Viharaya Ven. Banagala Upathissa Thera, Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Yoser Thinley, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav and Madya Pradesh Cultural Affairs Minister Lakshmi Kanth Sharma at the foundation laying ceremony

A section of the gathering

Pictures by Chandana Perera and Nalin Hewapathirana

Participating in religious observances