The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has issued a clarification regarding reports circulating on social media about the visit of Indian religious leader Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji to Sri Lanka.
In a statement issued today (22), the Ministry clarified that the reports relate to a visit that took place on February 23, 2026, and do not concern a recent visit.
According to the Ministry, the religious leader and a delegation arrived in Sri Lanka on February 23 at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
During the visit, the delegation toured several religious and historical sites across the country, including prominent Shiva temples.
The Ministry stated that one of the main objectives of the visit was to promote Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural tourism attractions, including the Ramayana Trail, among Indian devotees and tourists.
It further noted that such initiatives are important in promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination in India, which remains the country’s largest source of tourist arrivals.
The visit was also aimed at supporting the Government’s efforts to develop Sri Lanka’s tourism industry while strengthening religious and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and India.
The Ministry emphasised that presenting the previously reported visit as a current event is misleading and urged the public to consider the original date and context of the reports circulating on social media. (Newswire)