The invitation was extended when the Secretary General of the Summit, Rev Hiroshi Fujikura called on the Prime Minister on June 5 at his Office.

The Fifth World Buddhist Summit will be convened by the Most Venerable Dr Kyuse Enshinjoh who is the founder priest of the Nenbutsushu Buddhist sect in Japan. He once held the Presidency of the Mahabodhi Society of India founded by Ven Anagarika Dharmapala.

This was the only occasion when a non Sri Lankan Buddhist monk held the important post. Ven Enshinjoh made a notable contribution to the refurbishment of the Sri Lanka Pilgrims Rest in New Delhi. His organisation had also contributed to the tsunami reconstruction programme in Sri Lanka.