A Sri Lankan government official said the Dalai Lama is unlikely to be allowed to visit Sri Lanka, after an invitation was extended by a some Buddhist monks.
"They can invite, but the government may not grant a visa," a top foreign minister official told Reuters, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the subject.
"The Dalai Lama is very important. But the close relationship with China is more important and we have not changed our stance on 'One China' policy."
The invitation was extended by a group of high-ranking Theravada monks from Sri Lanka's Mahabodhi Society when they attended a theological discussion in late March in New Delhi, according to senior monk Banagala Upatissa.
"He told us that all others in the world - Christians, Hindus and Muslims - treat him well. But his own Buddhist brotherhood does not treat him well," Mr Upatissa told Reuters.
"We felt saddened and disturbed and invited him to visit Sri Lanka. I hope to discuss with the government to find a solution for this. Without antagonizing China, we are trying to get him a visa as an ordinary monk and not as a state official."
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