The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa participated at the 8th annual Vesak in Ottawa and Asian Heritage Month celebrations at the Ottawa City Hall on 5th of May 2019.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama together with the Staff of the High Commission offered Dana (almsgiving) to 16 Buddhist monks who attended Vesak ceremony representing many Buddhist countries.
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada` paid his respect to late hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, former Minister Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka who pioneered in UN to accept Vesak as an international celebration day. High Commissioner also highlighted the teachings of Buddhism such as respect to other ideas of beliefs, freedom for belief and noninterference of other cultures and how they have led to Buddhist Culture to co-exist among many other cultures and traditions in Canada. He also thanked the Mayor of Ottawa for proclamation of Vesak in Ottawa and acknowledged Government of Canada for accepting and facilitating Vesak in Ottawa.
The Vesak in Ottawa and Asian Heritage Month celebrations were attended by Canadian Government officials including the Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, members of the Monastic community, diplomatic corps and the Ottawa Community. Celebrations featured prayers and speeches by venerable Buddhist clergy, cultural performances and art displays from Ottawa’s diverse Asian communities.
During the event, all visitors to the Sri Lanka booth were served with Complimentary Ceylon Tea. The Sri Lanka booth also showcased tourist attractions related to Buddhism and cultural heritage.
