Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has asked the newly appointed High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Major General (Retired) Dr. Nayyar Naseer, to facilitate bringing the Fasting Buddha statue from Pakistan’s Lahore Museum to Sri Lanka so that local devotees may view and pay homage to it.
The request was made when the High Commissioner called on the Speaker in Parliament on April 21. Deputy High Commissioner Zunaira Latif and Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera were also present, according to the Parliament Media Division.
The High Commissioner said it was “a great pleasure and honour” to serve in Sri Lanka and indicated his willingness to explore the Speaker’s request. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
The Speaker congratulated Dr. Naseer on his appointment and thanked Pakistan for its continued support during challenging periods, including the final phase of the war and the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. He noted that the Sri Lanka–Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association had opened new avenues for legislative engagement.
The Fasting Buddha, a 2nd-century CE Gandhara-period sculpture depicting Siddhartha Gautama during his ascetic austerities before enlightenment, is one of the most celebrated Buddhist relics in South Asia. It is regarded as a masterpiece of the Gandhara school and has been held at the Lahore Museum for more than a century.
The High Commissioner also met Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake during his visit. Discussions covered expanded educational scholarship programmes, tourism, agriculture cooperation, and a proposal to complete Sri Lanka’s expressway network by the end of 2028.
The request comes as Sri Lanka prepares for the state Vesak festival from May 27 to June 2, the country’s most important Buddhist observance.
