South Korean President greets Sirisena in unscheduled meeting

President Maithripala Sirisena received an unexpected warm welcome from Korean President Moon Jae-In yesterday, a day ahead of their scheduled official meeting. 

President Sirisena, who arrived in Seoul last morning, visited the famous Buddhist place of worship, Jogyesa Temple, and was surprised to find President Moon waiting to receive him together with the Most Venerable Seol Jeong, head of the Jogye Order, the most prominent Buddhist sect in South Korea.

President Moon said that although he was not scheduled to visit the temple today, he decided to come unannounced as he wanted to show his respect for President Sirisena. 

“We have so many things in common and I wanted to meet him and develop friendship and a rapport before I meet him officially,” President Moon said.

President Sirisena said that although he had visited many countries as President, he had not met a single leader before the officially scheduled meetings. “This magnanimous gesture of humbleness shows the greatness of President Moon and his affection for Sri Lanka and its people,” he said. 

President Moon said that he has many things in common with President Sirisena as both came from rural areas and struggled for years and served the people amidst difficulties to reach their current high positions. The two countries also have common historical experiences as both were under colonial domination, both faced militant movements, witnessed authoritarian regimes and finally re-established democracy and entered a path of rapid progress, taking effective steps to combat corruption.

The South Korean President Moon Jae-In made a surprise visit to welcome his Sri Lankan counterpart at the temple, though they were scheduled to meet only on Wednesday for official talks.

Most Venerable Seol Jeong, head of the Jogye Order, the most prominent Buddhist sect in Korea, joined the Korean President to welcome President Sirisena. President Moon said that although he was not scheduled to visit the temple today, he decided to come unannounced as he wanted to show his respect for President Sirisena. 

“We have so many things in common and I wanted to meet him and develop a friendship and rapport before I meet him officially,” President Moon was quote saying by the President’s office.

President Sirisena said that although he had visited many countries as President, he had not met a single leader before the official scheduled meeting. “This magnanimous gesture of humbleness shows the greatness of President Moon and his affection for Sri Lanka and its people,” the President’s office said.

Most Venerable Seol Jeong blessed the two presidents and expressed the hope that the two leaders would be able to carry forward the two countries and their people towards progress.

President Sirisena expressed his happiness about the opportunity to visit Jogyesa Temple in which the sacred Buddha relics gifted by Anagarika Dharmapala in 1913 have been enshrined.  

Ministers Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Tilak Marapana, Daya Gamage, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Malik Samarawickrema and Thalatha Athukorale also joined the President on this visit to Jogyesa Temple.

The President also met members of the Sri Lankan community in South Korea last evening.