VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Photo credit: kemlu.go.id

The Indonesian Embassy in Colombo/ Sri Lanka/ presented  a Buddha statue/ a gift from Indonesia to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka/ Dinesh Gunawardena/ in Colombo//

 Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives/ Dewi Gustina Tobing/ said/ the statue is a symbol of the deep cultural and spiritual ties that unite the two countries// Dewi explained/ in Indonesia/ Buddha has become a source of inspiration for wisdom// This statue reflects the values of peace/ compassion/ and enlightenment that are the core of Buddhist teachings//

According to a written press statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Colombo received by the Antara state news agency in Jakarta/ Saturday (14/9)/ the statue was given by the Chairman of the Indonesian Theravada Sangha/ Bhikkhu Sri Pannavaro Mahathera/ to be handed over by Ambassador Dewi to Prime Minister Gunawardena for the Dharmayathanaya Vihara in Colombo/ on Thursday (12/9) local time//

Head of Dharmayathanaya Temple/ Bhikkhu Elle Gunawansa Thero/ also witnessed the handover of the statue depicting Buddha in a meditating position//

The Buddha statue was made by an Indonesian  sculptor in Muntilan/ near Borobudur Temple in Magelang/ Central Java/ following the basic guidelines for Buddha statues at Mendut Temple//

The statue is made from a block of good quality andesite stone/ weighing one ton and 140 centimeters high//

Regarding the gift of the Buddha statue / Prime Minister Gunawardena expressed his gratitude to Indonesia/ especially the Buddhist community in the country/ for the gift of the high-quality statue//

The gift of the Buddha statue from Indonesia to Sri Lanka symbolizes the good relations and brotherhood between the two countries that have existed since the 8th century//