Sri Lanka Presidents visits ancient Buddhist site in India: says be tolerant to check hatred

Sanchi (MP), Sep 21 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today called for tolerance in a world where enmity and hatred towards other faiths had a "tragic" fallout in violence. The visit of Rajapaksa amid tight security was marked by protests a Tamil party. The protesters who were arrested at the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border while setting out on a march to Sanchi, about 45 km from Bhopal, capital of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.. Some Tamil parties have been opposing Rajapaksa's visit as they hold him responsible for the alleged atrocities on Tamils in Sri Lanka. "I think the message of tolerance and understanding is of great relevance today, as we see the tragic results of enmity and hatred towards other faiths leading to violence and destruction, and great loss to societies. This message of tolerance is of equal importance in the East and West alike," Rajapaksa said in his address after laying the foundation stone of the 'Sanchi University of Buddhist and Indic Studies'. Recalling Mahatma Gandhi as the greatest son of modern India, he said people on both the sides of the country have duty to spread the message of non-violence, peace and compassion to the world which is "trapped in material-based progress". Rajapaksa pointed out the profound contribution by Dr B R Ambedkar for the revival of Buddhist thought in India and his efforts to incorporate Buddhist and Indic values in the modern day governance systems of the country. The Sri Lankan President criticised conventional education which led to ruthless competition and wasteful consumption and said that a complete education must involve self awakening. The protesters also burnt two effigies and around 2,000 posters of Rajapaksa at the dharna site and raised slogans against him. PTI