A total of 160 Tri-service personnel and their family members including 19 SLAF participants made up of 03 Officers and 16 Airmen departed Sri Lanka to go on a pilgrimage to Bodhgaya for the first time in their lifetime.

The batch grateful Tri-Service pilgrims gathered at the Bandaranayke International Airport yesterday morning (24 June 2018). This project, in cooperation with the High Commission of India will enable these pilgrims to visit the sacred Bodhgaya and other historical places of worship during their three-day stay (24-26) in India. The office of the Indian Chief of the Army Staff, the host of the tour will be providing food, accommodation and all transport during tour to the Tri-service group at their cost.

The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake and the Indian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, HE Taranjit Singh Sandhu accompanied by Senior Officers of the SLAF and SL Navy met the group belonging to the Tri-services. Indian High Commissioner’s office assisted in the issuance of visiting visas for the group and assisted the passage.

An Indian Air Force C -17 flew the group to Bodhgaya showing Indian Air Force’s goodwill towards the Sri Lankan Defence Forces.