President discusses organising of International Vesak Day in Sri Lanka

President Maithripala Sirisena chaired a key discussion organisation of activities of the United Nations Day of Vesak to be celebrated in Sri Lanka in 2017.

The meeting was held at the President’s Official Residence 12 September. 

The United Nations Day of Vesak is celebrated annually in Buddhist countries. This is the first time Sri Lanka has been given the opportunity to host this festival.

Over thousand representatives from India, China, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia and other countries where Buddhism is practiced will participate in the event.

President Sirisena instructed the relevant Ministries and officials to make necessary arrangements to hold the Vesak celebrations in a grand manner. The President instructed the Minister of Justice and Buddha Sasana , Wijayadasa Rajapaksha to appoint a Cabinet Sub Committee to organise the International Vesak Day celebration. The President further instructed the holding of monthly meetings under his patronage to review the progress of the initiatives taken to hold this event successfully. The Maha Sangha including, Thrikunamale Ananda Mahanayaka Thero, Niyangoda Dharmasiri Sri Sangharakkitha Vijithasiri Anu Nayaka Thero, Dr Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangarakkitha Thero, Ministers, Secretaries to the Ministries and many others participated in this event.