High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon visited Sri Lanka on 29 June for consultations in the context of regular exchange of views between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka.

The National Security Advisor called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and held meetings with the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa as well.

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.