John Kerry, US State secretary's visit after 43 years brings to memory American Sir Henry Olcott who introduced SL Buddhist flag

(Lanka-e-News- 04.May.2015, 11.00PM) To the  small group of  Buddhist extremists in Sri Lanka (SL) ,though  America is apparently a threat to their warped minds , ironically , it is an American who campaigned to approve  the present Buddhist flag which is now used by the Buddhists of SL .That American  was Sir Henry Steele Olcott . The statue  in front of the Fort railway station was erected in his name , and the  road ‘Olcott mawatha ‘ opposite the railway station was  named after him. He was also considered as responsible for the Buddhist renaissance at that time. 

Interestingly , while a most holy Wesak day of Buddhists was getting close  , another American made a historic visit to SL.He    is none other  John Kerry the US State secretary who holds a position only next to the president of the US. He  arrived in SL this morning on an official tour. It is significant to note that John Kerry’s visit  is most momentous and special because , it is after 43 long years , a US State secretary is visiting SL.

John Kerry was most warmly and cordially welcomed by SL ‘s foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera . He then met president Maithripala Sirisena and prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Kerry subsequently participated in the bilateral talks held at the foreign ministry , followed by a media briefing .

At the media briefing , Kerry said , SL and America are two countries with  governments which are working together in unison as one with common goals. It is apparent the new government of SL is taking decisions boldly and directly . SL being a country that has a special place  within the Asian zone , has now reached a position so much so that when global decisions are taken , SL is considered as of paramount importance. The progress of SL lately is something that is most pleasantly shocking to him , he further noted.  

The US  Secretary who is on a historic official visit after 43 long years visited the Kelaniya Vihara this afternoon to pay  homage .He was received at the Vihara by the chief incumbent Ven.professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangarakitha Thera . The US State secretary presented a plate of fruits  to the Ven Thera and the monks.

Photographs by Vimukthi Ishanka 

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by     (2015-05-04 21:06:53)