Former Sri Lankan Prez Rajapaksa visits Lumbini [In Pictures]

LUMBINI: Despite the rain, former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the Mayadevi Temple on Friday afternoon shortly after arriving in Lumbini.

Although continuous rainfall made movement difficult, Rajapaksa said stepping foot in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, was one of the greatest moments of his life.
He also visited the Ashoka Pillar, Pushkarini Pond and the sacred garden.

The former president also lit an oil lamp at Lumbini.

Rajapaksa was welcomed by Vice President of the Lumbini Development Trust, Dr Lharkyal Lama, Treasurer Dhundiraj Bhattarai, Member Secretary Sanuraja Shakya, Planning Chief Smita Bhatta, Senior Director Gyanin Rai, and other officials.