A delegation of diplomats based in New Delhi will visit Kandy from August 26 to witness the Kandy Esala Perahera and experience Sri Lanka's cultural heritage, part of an initiative to strengthen diplomatic relations through cultural engagement.

A specially organized three-day programme will bring diplomats representing various nations to Sri Lanka's cultural heartland beginning August 26. The visit includes 19 diplomats and accompanying family members from New Delhi-based embassies and high commissions, representing countries including Guyana, Ghana, Iceland, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Tanzania, Zambia, the Dominican Republic, Austria and Latvia. The initiative reflects Sri Lanka's strategy to deepen its diplomatic ties through cultural and people-to-people engagement.

The timing of the visit coincides with one of Sri Lanka's most significant religious celebrations. The diplomats will attend the Randoli Perahera on August 27, the main procession of the Kandy Esala Perahera festival, which showcases Buddhist traditions and cultural heritage. Additionally, the delegation will visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, observe the Thewawa ceremony, and tour the International Buddhist Museum and other historically important sites.

The programme extends beyond religious sites to encompass Sri Lanka's broader cultural and economic dimensions. Diplomats will attend a traditional Kandyan dinner hosted by the Chief Custodian of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and a lunch at the Ehelepola Walawwa, while tours of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Peradeniya, gem and jewellery establishments, and the Hantana Tea Museum will highlight the country's natural resources and economic activities.

According to Sri Lanka's High Commission in New Delhi, the visit aims to provide the international diplomatic community with deeper understanding of Sri Lanka beyond formal diplomatic channels. The High Commission noted that 99 Ambassadors and High Commissioners currently based in New Delhi hold dual accreditation, representing their respective countries in both India and Sri Lanka, underscoring the Indian capital's importance as a diplomatic hub for Sri Lankan engagement with the global community.