The government's move to abrogate Section 370 and 35A, and create Ladakh as a separate union territory has been welcomed by the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka, The Daily News reported.

According to the report, Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters of the Siyam Nikaya of Sri Lanka said in a statement that the move would further strengthen religious, political and cultural relations between the two countries and take them to a higher plane.

The head of the said Buddhist community, The Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratane Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, said the move by the Indian government will boost pilgrimage to the Ladakh area from Buddhists all around the world, the report said.

In another statement, the Most Ven. Tibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Maha Nayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter said, "India, which had a pluralistic society, has safeguarded harmony and reconciliation in a salutary manner and its decision to proclaim Ladakh with a 70 percent Buddhist population as a separate state was a cause for happiness and pride to Sri Lanka, which is a Buddhist country."