President Moon Jae-in made a visit to Jogyesa Temple from 4:30 to 5:10 this afternoon to welcome Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and forge friendship and rapport with him.

President Sirisena is on a state visit that comes in the significant year marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Sri Lanka. The first event on his itinerary in Korea was a visit to Jogyesa Temple where President Moon joined him.

President Moon greeted President Sirisena at Iljumun (One Pillar Gate) on the temple grounds, and the two Presidents paid homage to Buddha at Daeungjeon (Main Dharma Hall). Afterward, they moved to the administrative headquarters of the temple to sit down with the Most Venerable Seoljeong, President of the Jogye Order.

President Moon said that it was his pleasure to come to welcome President Sirisena ahead of an official welcoming ceremony and a summit scheduled for tomorrow. He also congratulated the Most Venerable Seoljeong, who is esteemed for his virtue and high moral character, on his recent inauguration as the President. He went on to say he was all the more pleased to have a chance to meet him on this occasion.

President Moon noted there are many things in common between the two countries as both share Buddhist culture. Sri Lanka is one of the leading Buddhist countries and Buddhism has long flourished in Korea. He also explained that the holy sarira of Sakyamuni Buddha gifted by Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Anagarika Dharmapala is enshrined in the Ten Story Buddha Relic Stupa at Jogyesa Temple, home to the Jogye Order, the most prominent Buddhist sect in Korea. He also reminded President Sirisena that the Mahabodhi Tree he donated to Korea is growing on the grounds of Jogyesa Temple. Considering all this, President Moon added, it was especially meaningful to meet President Sirisena in Jogyesa Temple today.

In reply, the Sri Lankan President said it was an honor to meet with President Moon and the President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and expressed his appreciation for having been invited so soon after President Moon’s recent swearing-in. He went on to give special thanks to Korea for dispatching a delegation to the United Nations Day of Vesak 2017 observed in Sri Lanka. President Sirisena also added that it was a great honor to himself as well as to his country and people for President Moon to take the time to greet him ahead of the official schedule tomorrow. Noting that he has met with numerous other heads of state over the past three years following his inauguration, President Sirisena emphasized that President Moon was the first head of state to receive him before an official schedule. The President once again expressed his appreciation to President Moon for greeting him in a down-to-earth and comfortable manner. 

President Sirisena also said that Korea has rendered significant assistance to his country over the past four decades, especially through the financial aid of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The President continued that the two countries needed to work toward a closer, future-oriented relationship, marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year. The President then extended congratulations to the Most Venerable Seoljeong on his inauguration as the President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, adding that he was delighted to meet him in person. He said he came to understand that many Koreans respected the Most Venerable Seoljeong. Noting that he was from a Buddhist country, President Sirisena expressed the hope that the Most Venerable Seoljeong would be able to commit himself to the development of Buddhism and proposed that the two nations work together to improve ties between Buddhists in both nations. 

The visiting President noted that Korea was Sri Lanka`s close friend-country not only in terms of development cooperation but also in the international arena. Giving a high evaluation to Korea concerning cooperation in the international arena, he promised continued support for Korea. Noting that his country as a U.N. member state was strictly complying with various U.N. resolutions, especially those against North Korea, President Sirisena expressed his regret over the North`s acts. Saying that Sri Lanka will always stand by Korea and its people, the President suggested the two nations work together for a bright future.    

President Moon said Korea and Sri Lanka not only shared Buddhist culture but also had many other similarities such as a history of undergoing colonial rule, authoritarian governments and civil war and the pursuit of democracy, adding that Sri Lanka was a good partner that could share Korea’s experience. The President went on to say that President Sirisena and he had a similar governing philosophy of upholding people-centered democracy and human rights and eradicating corruption. The President continued to say that the two countries’ relations have thrived over the past 40 years and that the nations were good partners that would achieve another 40 years of progress together going forward. Then, President Moon said with a smile that President Sirisena and he also had ordinary family backgrounds and were from provincial areas. 

The Most Venerable Seoljeong said it was a special day to meet the two Presidents together and prayed for their infinite glory. Then, he expressed the hope that the precious tie created by the meeting would help discussions on the interests of the two countries and lead to cooperation and even greater development. He went on to say that Buddha was an eternal free man and a great teacher who taught about peace, mercy and happiness. He continued to say that he was certain that the peoples of the two countries who followed his teaching would be able to advance, enjoying freedom and happiness. Then, the Most Venerable Seoljeong said President Moon, as seen there today, was open-minded and was devoting himself to working for the country and people with all his might. He went on to say that he believed that the meeting between the two Presidents would be a great opportunity for the development of the two nations, adding that not only the Korean Government but also he and the Jogye Order would make every effort so that many monks and migrant workers from Sri Lanka would achieve their goals in Korea. In conclusion, he said he would earnestly pray that the blessing of Buddha would stay with the two Presidents forever. 

Besides President Sirisena, those who took part in the meeting today included the Sri Lankan delegation of ministers and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Korea Manisha Gunasekera. Among those from the Korean side were Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan, Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong, and Chief of Presidential Security Service Ju Young-hoon.