The Sri Lanka Embassy in Cairo organized Vesak celebrations at the Embassy premises throughout the day on 24th May 2013 with the support and the participation of Sri Lankans in Egypt.
At the invitation of the Embassy, Venerable Pallegama Palitha thero travelled from Sri Lanka for conducting the Vesak religious programme. This programme of the day included observances of Sil, alms giving, sermons (morning and evening), Dhamma discussion between thero and the devotees, and Buddhist devotional songs (Bakthi Gee). The Chancery and the Residence were illuminated by special lighting arrangements. The members of Sri Lankan community made a rotating Vesak lantern with eight sister lanterns. The height of the lantern was about 14 feet. It had two segments with one rotating clock wise and other anti-clock wise. It became the main attraction among other Vesak decorations and lanterns.
In his remarks, Ambassador Sudantha Ganegama Arachchi highlighted the significance of Vesak day and urged Sri Lankans in Egypt to work with determination and unlimited endeavour to build a land of dignity as per the Vesak day message of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka. Ambassador Ganegama Arachchi thanked the members of Sri Lankan community for their support and especially the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment for sponsoring the travel of Venerable Pallegama Palitha thero. Ambassador Ganegama Arachchi also launched a campaign to raise funds for donating wheel-chairs to Ranaviru Sevana of Sri Lanka Army. Responses to this funds are encouraging. The donations to this fund can be made until 31st December 2013.
The Embassy made arrangements for Venerable Pallegama Palitha thero to participate at a Vesak religious programme organized for about 100 Sri Lankan employees working in Velocity Apparels Company, Ismailia.
Nearly 300 Sri Lankans living in Egypt actively participated in the celebrations by showing their utmost devotion. They appreciated the elaborate arrangements made by the Embassy for celebrating Vesak in Cairo and for inviting Venerable Palitha thero to invoke blessings to them.
