COLOMBO -- World peace should begin from Sri Lanka, a country which has given strong message of peace to the world, said Venerable Master Chin Kung here on Saturday.

The world renowned Chinese Buddhist monk was addressing the opening ceremony of the Inter-religious and Cultural International Conference on world peace in Colombo.

The week-long conference is held with the participation of about 600 foreign delegates including UNESCO General Conference President Dr. Katalin Bogyay and about 25 UNESCO ambassadors.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the chief guest of the conference, noted that Sri Lanka as a country that has achieved peace is keen to share the spirit of peace after decades of violence and terror.

"The building of peace requires good thoughts that reach out in tolerance and understanding. I am greatly pleased that Sri Lanka, now free of brutal terrorism that lasted nearly 30 years, is a land with a backdrop of respect for all religions and communities, " Rajapaksa stated.

Along with the Sri Lankan president, the country's chief prelates of all Buddhist factions, ministers, lawmakers and representatives of all religions participated in the conference, which is aimed at promoting world peace through religious teachings and cultural unity.