Sri Lankan high commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, March 14: On his first visit to the state, Sri Lankan high commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam today called for a revival of ancient cultural links, maritime trade and tourism potential between his country and Odisha.

The envoy, who went to see the Buddhist heritage sites at Ratnagiri-Udayagiri-Lalitgiri in Jajpur district, said: “The land of ancient Kalinga was the origin of the spread of Buddhism to the entire east Asian nations through Sri Lanka. There should be a revival of the ancient links as at that ancient period all these were possible through sea routes and trade links.”

He said more than 70 per cent Sri Lankans were Buddhists and nearly 2.5 lakh came to India every year to Buddhist tourist spots in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Efforts should be made, he said, through agencies to see that these tourists also visited the famous Buddhist sites in Odisha.

On the probability of linking the Sri Lankan Airlines and its budget carrier Mihin Lanka to Bhubaneswar, as the state capital would shortly get an airport of international status, Kariyawasam said: “This is a gradual process that will happen between the two countries. Once the interaction starts and efforts are made to involve tour operators and others to promote culture, the possibility of flights may be thought of.”

Historians say that Buddhism went to Sri Lanka from Kalinga through the son and daughter of emperor Asoka — Mahendra and Sanghamitra — around 2,300 years ago. After his transformation from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka following the Kalinga war, the emperor had asked his children to spread Buddhism.

A tooth relic found at the Temple of Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka, also went from Kalinga. “Kalinga Megha, one of the successful rulers of Sri Lanka around 10th Century was also from Kalinga,” Kariyawasam said.

On the condition of the ancient Buddhist sites in Odisha, the envoy praised the work of the Archaeological Survey of India and said many sites may be explored with more excavation and historical studies.

“You have a wonderful network of roads near your ancient monuments, but with quality infrastructure facilities and accommodation for the tourists and especially for pilgrims coming from the Buddhist nations, Odisha can create a niche in a related tourism sector. Buddhism, recently, has become a major religion of the world,” he said.

Kariyawasam was on a two-day visit to the state and also met the chief minister and governor. “I have found people here to be friendly. Many elements of Odia culture have similarities with Singhalese culture, including the language. The Kandyan dance form has many similarities with Odissi,” he said.