PM Modi plants sapling at Maha Bodhi Society

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered prayers and planted a sapling at the Maha Bodhi Society in Colombo.

"Stand with you in your efforts to build a future that accommodates the aspirations of all sections of society," he said at the Maha Bodhi Society.

"It is said that the oldest nation to follow Buddhism is Sri Lanka. Today when we travel around the world we can see Sri Lankan bhikshus performing their pious tasks," he added.

Prime Minister Modi recounted that it was his dream to make a beautiful Buddhist temple when Buddhist relics were found in Gujarat.

The Prime Minister also offered 'daana' to the Buddhist monks at the Maha Bodhi Society, where school children had lined up to welcome him.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had stated that India was privileged to be Sri Lanka's development partner and added that the trade between New Delhi and Colombo has seen impressive growth over the past decade.

The Prime Minister said he admires President Sirisena's efforts to build an inclusive future for Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Modi is presently in Sri Lanka on the third and final leg of his five-day three-nation tour. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka in 28 years.