A 14-member delegation led by Kaishanand Giriji Maharaj, chief priest of a Shiva temple in Ayodhya, arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday morning for a special religious and cultural visit.
The delegation—comprising clergy and lay representatives—landed at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake from New Delhi aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL-192.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe was present at the airport to officially welcome the visiting group.
During their stay, the delegation is scheduled to visit several prominent Shiva temples across Sri Lanka, including:
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Thiruketheeswaram Temple – Mannar
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Naguleswaram Temple – Jaffna
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Koneswaram Temple – Trincomalee
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Seetha Amman Temple – Nuwara Eliya
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Ancient Shiva temple sites in Polonnaruwa
In addition to temple visits, the delegation is also expected to hold a special discussion with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath during their stay.
The visit is seen as part of broader efforts to strengthen religious and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and India, while also supporting the country’s growing spiritual tourism sector.
