High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

The teachings of the Buddha are relevant today as they were twenty six centuries ago. If the leaders of our modern world are to embrace this advice, many of today’s conflicts, both domestic and international, could be resolved for the benefit of mankind, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa, addressing the   United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations, in Bangkok today ( June 2).

“Justice and the Rule of Law are not alien concepts for those of us who from our childhood are nurtured by the doctrine of Buddha.  These are, therefore not concepts that need to be preached to the converted,” the President said.

The 2556th Veask Day was commemorated by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi on the 5th and 6th May 2012.

On the 5th May 2012, Sri Lankans living in New Delhi together with the staff of the High Commission participated at the Vesak commemoration at the Maha Bodhi Society’s Buddha Vihar in New Delhi. The programme comprised of Dharma talks, Meditation programme, offering of Alms and Bodhi Puja. Children of the High Commission staff recited Bhakti Gee (Buddhist devotional songs). The High Commission premises was fully illuminated in the evening.

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam was the Chief Guest at the Vesak Commemoration at the National Museum of India in New Delhi on 6th May 2012, organized by the Young Men Buddhist Association of India. In his speech, he said that Gautama Buddha, who’s Life and Message is celebrated on the Vesak Day, undertook the task of committing his days on this Earth to teach people the path of peace, compassion, understanding, tolerance, and nonviolence for all humanity without exception. This Message resonates transcending time and is growing in relevance in today’s world where people are searching for balance between rapid scientific advancement and spiritual content of life. 

A twenty-member team of students from various government schools in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka visited New Delhi, under the student exchange programme of the India-Sri Lanka Foundation, from 16-22 April 2012.

Addressing "Sri Lanka Expo 2012”, organized by the Export Development Board (EDB) at the BMICH, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the presence of investors at the event shows the failure of the efforts of those who still support the agenda of separatist terror that prevented development in Sri Lanka for more than three decades. 

“You are here today, with a measure of confidence in Sri Lanka that has not been diminished by false propaganda that is currently spread by those who are trying to prevent investment flowing to our country. You are a strong and valuable vote of confidence in Sri Lanka; an expression of growing trust in the new opportunities for export trade in a country that was famous for international trade from ancient days, the President said.

The large international presence at this event is a clear indication of the growing awareness in the world of the new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

For text of President Rajapaksa’s address visit:

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201203/20120328large_investor_presence_sl_expo_2012.htm