ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has always stood by Sri Lanka in every hour of need, said Prof N Gnanaratana, head of a 40-member delegation of Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka who are visiting Pakistan. The monks were present on Monday during the opening ceremony of Vesak Mela. Gnanaratana said that Pakistan had proved itself a true friend to Sri Lanka. “This is not only the belief in the Sri Lankan government, but the ordinary people also feel the same. Whenever there is any debate or issue at international forums, Pakistan has always raised its voice in favour of Sri Lanka,” he said. Both the countries have many cultural similarities and have great love and respect for each other’s religion, he said. To a question, Gnanaratana said that Pakistan and China were the two countries which had always extended unconditional support to Sri Lanka and its people. “Since independence, all Pakistani governments have played a vibrant role in strengthening ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” he said. Other monks, including P Dhammanande, M Seelapriga and A Summanaseeli, said that they were excited to be in Pakistan. “We are in Pakistan for the first time and we very excited about our journey to the sacred places of Taxila and Takht Bhai. We have been impressed with the arrangements made for this festival. The officials have extended a warm welcome to us. We thank the people and government for the hospitality given to us,” he said. The delegation had arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to attend ‘Vesak Mela’ celebrations being arranged by the National History and Literary Heritage (NHLH) Division. NHLH Division Federal Secretary Aamir Hasan, NHLH Division Joint Secretary Syed Junaid Ikhlaq and High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Pakistan Maj Gen (r) Jayanath CP Lokuketagodage were present in the opening ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, Hasan said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had inherited a rich cultural heritage and the strong cultural relations between them were rooted in history. He said that ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka had become stronger over the years. “Being a custodian of the Buddhist heritage, the Pakistani government is equally participating in Vesak festival. The arrangements made for performing pilgrimage to the holy places at Taxila and Takht Bhai will further strengthen the deep cultural ties between the two countries,” he said. On the occasion, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka for Pakistan Maj Gen (r) Jayanath CP Lokuketagodage appreciated the efforts of Adviser to Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui, the federal secretary and other officials of the division for celebrating the ‘Vesak Mela’ and for inviting Sri Lankan monks to Pakistan. “Pakistan and Sri Lanka are tied in the bonds of mutual love and respect and such activities will further strengthen people-to-people relations,” he said. The Sri Lankan delegation will now be taken to the historical Buddhist spots of Taxila and Takht Bhai where they will perform their religious rituals. The officials of the division will also brief the monks about the historical significance of these places. The Vesak day is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. The Vesak festival, also known as Buddha Purnima (full moon) and Buddha Day, is a holiday observed traditionally on different days in all Buddhist countries of Asia and other parts of the world.