A call for Sri Lanka to play a bigger role in the international commemoration of Vesak

A.G.S. Dayaratne, the newly elected President of the Kandy YMBA, while getting ready to launch the YMBA's Vesak programme, dwelt on the UN Vesak Day of Observance being held in Vietnam. He said that considering the history of the UN Vesak Day of Observance and the role played by Sri Lanka in initiating this milestone event, it is imperative that Sri Lanka plays an enhanced role in this internationally significant Buddhist event.

- By Rajitha Weerakoon

Mr. Dayaratne hopes to Initially submit the proposal to the Kandy YMBA. Thereafter, he hopes to follow it up and work in collaboration with other leading Buddhist organisations such as the Colombo YMBA and All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC.) He hopes the efforts will bring about a meaningful result.

An event that draws Buddhists across diverse nations, this year's United Nations Vesak Day of Obervance hosted by Vietnam, was attended by 80 countries. Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayke, delivered the keynote address at its main ceremony.

Sri Lanka's only ICDV was held in 2017. Spearheaded by the late Kusala Dhamma Thero, its symposium had "Buddhist Teachings for Social Justice and Sustainable World Peace" as its theme which was participated by 750 delegates from over 100 countries. The thero explained that the theme was selected because the Buddhist view of equality and humanity was relevant today as it was 2600 years ago when the Buddha expounded it.