A Buddhist temple has been established for the first time in Israel to cater to the spiritual needs of some 7,000 Sri Lankans in Israel, the External Affairs Ministry said.

It is located at the premises of a high-rise apartment complex in the greater Tel Aviv area. The Chief Incumbent Ven. Karavilakotuwe Dhammathilaka Thera said in keeping with the religious sensitivities in Israel, the inaugural ceremony was held on a low scale without much publicity.

Ven. Dhammathilaka Thera and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador Sarath Wijesinghe saw to the arrangements in establishing the temple which is a historic landmark event because this is the first time that a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple has been established there.

The present premises will serve as a temple temporarily until a spacious venue is located for the convenience of the Sri Lankan community. Religious observances are being conducted at the opening ceremony