File Photo: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (Reuters)
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe today offered worship at the famous Lord Krishna Temple in Kerala amid heavy security.
The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by his wife Maitree Wickramsinghe, arrived at the shrine at around 11.15 am.
Mr Wickramasinghe offered 'Thulabharam' (an offering where a devotee is weighed against offerings of banana, sugar, flowers etc) with sandalwood.
About 77 kilograms of sandalwood, at an estimated cost of Rs 8.45 lakh, was offered by the dignitary as an offering to the temple.
Guruvayur Melsanthi (chief priest) Morkkannur SriHari Namoodiri handed over 'prasadams' to the dignitary. Wickramasinghe also offered 'Neyvillaku', 'Panakizhi' and plantains to the diety.
Lankan Culture Minister Swaminathan accompanied the dignitaries.
Later speaking to reporters, Mr Wickramasinghe said cultural ties between the island nation and India would be further strengthened. He was not pro India or pro-China, but was a Prime Minister who wanted to ensure the interests of Sri Lanka, he said.
A team of experts from Sri Lanka would visit the elephant sanctuary of the Guruvayur devaswom at Punnathoor, he said.
The Prime Minister also offered worship at the Mamiyoor Mahadeva temple in Kerala.
There was heavy security at the temple premises in connection with Mr Wickramasinghe's visit.