Sri Lankan pilgrims asked to avoid Bodh Gaya

Sri Lankan pilgrims asked to avoid Bodh Gaya

July 7, 2013   01:26 pm

The Government today advised Sri Lankan pilgrims not to visit Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya during next week due to ongoing investigations into the blasts which occurred this morning.

Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Neomal Perera stated that the Sri Lankan High Commission in India advises Sri Lankans to avoid pilgrimages to Bodh Gaya till the probe into the bombings is completed.

A series of explosions in and around Buddhism’s holiest shrine in Bihar injured two persons early on Sunday, in what the Indian government described as a “terror” attack.

“It is a terror attack ... no outfit has claimed credit for these attacks,” junior home minister RPN Singh told reporters.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts and said such attacks on religious places “will never be tolerated”.

The explosions, which occurred between 5:30 am and 6 am, injured two persons, Bihar police chief Abhayanand told reporters in Patna.

Four blasts occurred inside the Mahabodhi Temple premises, three blasts at Tergar monastery and another near the famous 80-foot Buddha statue, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami said, adding a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the explosions.

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

New Speaker and Deputy Speaker appointed during inaugural session of 10th Parliament (English)

New Speaker and Deputy Speaker appointed during inaugural session of 10th Parliament (English)

President Anura Kumara delivers Govt's Policy Statement during inaugural session of 10th Parliament (English)

NDF and SJB yet to nominate candidates for remaining National List MP seats (English)

29 Deputy Ministers sworn in (English)

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Prime Time News Bulletin 6.55 pm

Newly appointed Cabinet Ministers officially assume duties (English)