He said so during the bilateral discussion he had with President Maithripala Sirisena, who is in India to attend the BRICS Outreach Summit.

President Sirisena had bilateral discussions with several state leaders including the Prime Minister of Nepal Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahalon Oct. 16 on the sidelines of the summit.

The Nepalese Prime Minister gratefully recalled the Sri Lankan assistance provided for the development of Buddhist places of worship in Nepal. He thanked the support extended by Sri Lanka for the development activities in Lumbini.

President Sirisena, mentioning about the SAARC Heads of States meeting, stated that every country of the SAARC region should act with unity.

Nepal is the current chair of the SAARC.

The President then had a discussion with the Premier of Bhutan TsheringTobgay.

The Premier of Bhutan said that the friendship between Sri Lanka and Bhutan is based on the Buddhist philosophy. He said Bhutan further expects Sri Lankan assistance for the development of Buddhist education in Bhutan.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay invited President Sirisena to participate in the ceremony to plant the Bo sapling offered by Sri Lanka. President Sirisena invited the Bhutanese Premier to participate in the International Vesak Festival to be held in Colombo next year.