- India's new international airport inaugurates in Kushinagar.
- The first flight to land at the new international airport was from Sri Lanka.
- 100 Buddhist monks including the Anunayake theros of all three main sects aboard the first flight to Kushinagar.
- Minister of Sports, Hon. Namal Rajapakse and 08 others visit to Kushinagar.
- Inauguration of Kushinagar Airport is a new chapter in the new religious ties between India and Sri Lanka – Minister of Tourism,Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga
India's new international airport inaugurates in Kushinagar (formerly Kushinara Nuwara). SriLankan Airlines' UL 1147 was the first flight to land at the new Kushinagar International Airport. The first flight was sent to India as per the special request made by the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Narendra Modi from the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The flight took off at 5.20 a.m. this morning with 100 Buddhist monks including the Anunayake theros of all three main sects aboard. A special delegation led by Minister of Sports, Hon.Namal Rajapakse also visited India. The delegation consisted of State Ministers, Hon. Vijitha Berugoda, Hon.Sisira Jayakody, Hon.DV Chanaka and Hon. Jeevan Thondaman. The Prime Minister of India arrived at the new Kushinagar International Airport to declare open the airport and welcome the guests at the airport. At the request of the Prime Minister of India, the Kapila Vastu Relics placed at the Waskaduwe Temple were flown by this flight in order to pay homage to the Buddhist devotees of Kushinagar.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H.E. Gopal Bagle were also present at the departure of this special flight from BIA Katunayake.
The Indian High Commissioner said that this was a historic occasion for India as well as Sri Lanka. He said the visit would help expand bilateral ties between the two countries. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga said the Katunayake-Kushinagar direct flight would be a new chapter in religious ties between the two countries. The Minister said that this will be more convenient for Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims going to Dambadiva in the future.
