The Mahanayaka Theras of Sri Lanka’s Malwatu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Chapters have appealed to the British government to intervene and prevent the auction of a collection of jewels believed to be linked to the corporeal remains of Lord Buddha, currently at risk of being sold at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.

The auction is scheduled to take place in Hong Kong on Wednesday (7 May). However, auctioneers Sotheby’s postponed the sale at the last minute in response to a demand from the Indian government. New Delhi also demanded the immediate repatriation of the relics. The collection includes gemstones, pearls, embossed gold sheets and other materials that many Buddhists believe are linked to the bodily remains of Lord Buddha.

In a letter addressed to the British High Commissioner in Colombo, the heads of Sri Lanka’s four main Buddhist monastic orders expressed strong objection to what they described as the commercialisation of a globally significant archaeological discovery. They described the proposed auction as a profound loss to world heritage.

“We are shocked to learn that a collection of invaluable jewels linked to the corporeal remains of Lord Buddha is scheduled to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong,” the letter stated. It went on to highlight that the relics, unearthed from a mound in Northern India, were praised by archaeologists, including Nicolas Chow of Sotheby’s, as among the most remarkable archaeological finds ever recorded.

The Buddhist leaders emphasised that such artefacts carry immense emotional and religious significance for Buddhists globally. “They are most revered and worshipped by all Buddhists, not only by Sri Lankans,” the statement noted, urging the British government to help ensure the preservation and respectful treatment of the relics.