President Anura Kumara Dissanayake opened the first international exposition of the Devnimori Relics at Gangaramaya Temple on Thursday, fulfilling a promise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit. The relics, unearthed from an ancient stupa in Gujarat and carried by a special Indian Air Force flight, will be available for public viewing around the clock until February 11. Leaders from both nations, including Gujarat’s Governor and Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, attended, highlighting deepening ties through shared Buddhist heritage, booming trade at $5.8 billion, and India’s aid during crises.
The Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site, located near Shamlaji in the Aravalli district of Gujarat.
It was first explored in 1957 by eminent archaeologist Prof. S. N. Chowdhry.The excavations revealed important Buddhist structures and relics that stand testimony to the flourishing of Buddhism in western India during the early centuries of the Common Era.The relic casket found within Devnimori Stupa, is made out of green schist.It is inscribed in Brahmi Script and Sanskrit language, it reads. “dashabala sharira nilay” – the abode of the Buddha’s bodily relic.It holds a copper box having organic matter with holy ashes, with silk cloth and beads.