High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

High Commissioner delivers Keynote address at the Mulagandha Kuty Vihara Anniversary PDF Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info) E-mail
Sunday, 21 November 2010 12:23

The 79th Anniversary of the Mulagandha Kuty Vihara in Sarnath, India, was held on 21st November 2010. The Vihara was built in 1931 by the late Anagarika Dharmapala in close proximity to the location identified as the place where Lord Buddha set in motion the Wheel of the Dhamma, delivering the first sermon, the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta as well as the second sermon, the Anatta Lakkhana Sutta. The Minister of Tourism & Urban Poverty Alleviation of the Government of India, Kumari Selja, was the Chief Guest on the occasion while High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam delivered the keynote address.

 The High Commissioner, in his address, highlighted the relevance of Buddhism to solving the contemporary problems of the world, the contributions made by Sri Lankans such as Anagarika Dharmapala to the revival of Buddhism in the 20th Century and the contributions of the Mahabodhi Society to this task. He also noted in particular the contribution made by Brahmachari Devapriya Valisinha who was the General Secretary of the Mahabodhi Society from 1933 to 1968. Noting that Brahmachari Devapriya Valisinha was the late Anagarika Dharmapala’s foremost disciple, he highlighted Devapriya Valisinha’s contribution towards the building of the Mulagandha Kuty Vihara and the revival of Buddhism in India.

High Commissioner Kariyawasam also emphasized that the efforts taken by Sri Lankans to revive Buddhism in India and restore places of Buddhist worship as well as the large number of Sri Lankan pilgrims who still visit these sites every year are manifestations of their gratitude to the Buddha and the people of India for the gift of Buddhism received by Sri Lanka in 3rd Century BC. He thanked the Government of India through Minister Kumari Selja, for making very practical arrangements for Buddhists from Sri Lanka as well as all over the world to practice their religion in this land of the Buddha, without any hindrance. He recalled in his statement, the role played by the leaders of India along with the likes of Anagarika Dharmapala, in the revival of Buddhism in India. Stating that the presence of Minister Selja followed in the tradition of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gracing the occasion of the opening of the Mulagandhakuti Vihara in 1931, the High Commissioner also noted that a lady was gracing the 79th anniversary celebrations as the Chief Guest. He added that this is significant in the context of the Buddha’s words relating to equality between all human beings. (Read full speech by High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam)
 

 

On this occasion, the original letters of communication between Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala and Brahmachari Devapriya Valisinha dating back to the 1920s and 1930s were handed over to the custody of the Anagarika Dharmapala Museum of the Mahabodhi Society of India by the family members of the late Devapriya Valisinha.

Two books edited by Ven. Dr. Kahawatte Siri Sumedha Thero entitled “History of the Mulagandha Kuty Vihara- Sacred Relics and Wall Paintings at Isipatana – the First Preaching place of the Buddha” and “Frescos of Mulagandha Kuty Vihara (The Life story of the Buddha)- Kosetsu Nosu and his other Paintings” were presented to Minister Kumari Selja and High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam.

Minister Kumari Selja, Ven. Dodangoda Rewatha Thero, General Secretary of the Mahabodhi Society, Ven. Kahawatte Siri Sumedha Thero, Assistant General Secretary of the Mahabodhi Society and Prof. P. Kannan of Nagaland University, also spoke on the occasion.

 

 

 
United in peace, lets build a great nation - President PDF Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info) E-mail
Saturday, 20 November 2010 03:38

Our first task in our rise to be among the great nations of the world, is to ensure lasting national unity and sustainable, permanent peace in our motherland, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the swearing in for his second term of office today (19 Nov) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Our policy is one of non-alignment, he said adding, ‘we do not have enemy states or such groups or blocs. During the last era, we worked with many nations in agreement and friendship for national security. We now step into the development era. We extend our hand of friendship to those who assist us in this endeavour’.

We have the inherited wisdom to tolerate all opinion and take mature decisions. We have a tradition of understanding our problems and conflicts and finding solutions for them, he further stated.

‘We are not a miniature of a developed country. We are Sri Lanka. Our motherland is Sri Lanka’.

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Planting of a sapling in New Delhi to commemorate second term of the President PDF Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info) E-mail
Tuesday, 16 November 2010 02:43

High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam planted a mango sapling at the premises of Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi at 10.07 a.m. joining the ‘Deyata Sevana’, National Programme for Planting 1.1 Million Trees in Sri Lanka to commemorate the 65th birthday and the inauguration of the second term of office of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

 Addressing the staff at this auspicious occasion High Commissioner Kariyawasam emphasized the significance of planting a tree to mark the inauguration of the second term of office of President at the High Commission premises which he described as ‘little Sri Lanka in New Delhi’. Sri Lanka High Commission buildings for which the foundation was laid by the then Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike 50 years ago is a unique Sri Lankan Mission abroad as it houses the office as well as residential quarters of all the members of the staff. “Planting a tree at the premises has a special significance for both countries” ; stated the High Commissioner. He expressed confidence that as the tree grows giving shelter and fruits, Indo-Sri Lanka friendship also would grow further.

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H.E. Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam presents Credentials in Afghanistan PDF Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info) E-mail
Saturday, 13 November 2010 05:29

H.E. Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam, the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to India, who is concurrently accredited as non-resident Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, presented his Credentials to His Excellency Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, on 11th November 2010 at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. After the presentation of Credentials, the Ambassador held discussions with President Karzai, several Cabinet Ministers and senior officials of the Government of Afghanistan.
 
Enlightened harmony achieved through goodwill of Deepavali - President PDF Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info) E-mail
Sunday, 07 November 2010 06:15

May the light of goodwill and peace of Deepavali lead our people to the joy of enlightened harmony, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a message for Deepavali.

Celebrated by Hindus the world over, Deepavali is a celebration of the spiritual richness of people as it marks the progress that humans have made in the constant struggle for a better life in keeping with the great spiritual values of Hinduism, the President added.

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