The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, DC in coordination with International Buddhist Association of America (IBAA), Buddhist Temples in Washington and Maryland, Sri Lankan expatriates and Sri Lanka Students Association of Universities organized several interfaith religious prayers and remembrances in memory of the victims of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka.
The Interfaith religious leaders representing Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims conducted the prayers at these events. Delivering their sermons, the religious dignitaries appealed to their followers and members of all religious faiths to pray for the victims and the injured in the attacks. The people who gathered at the events, expressed their goodwill and solidarity by sharing condolences and extending their hands of friendship with one another. The prayers were followed by candles light vigils in memory of the deceased and the injured.
The interfaith religious dignitaries, diplomats, members of the international organizations, academics, professionals, community members, journalists and a cross section of the civil society attended the interfaith prayers and remembrances at the following places:
- Interfaith religious ceremony held at Washington Buddhist Vihara on Sunday, 21 April
- Interfaith religious ceremony held at the Maryland Buddhist Vihara organized in coordination with the International Buddhist Association of America on 27 April.
- Special religious ceremony held at Mahamevnawa Meditation Center on 27 April.
- Candlelight Vigil and Remembrance at the University of Maryland, Baltimore on 23 April
- Interfaith religious prayers and remembrance, at the University of Maryland in College Park on 29 April.
- Memorial Service at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Blessed Sacrament Chapel on 30 April.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka was represented at these interfaith memorial services and candle light vigils by Minister (Administration), Thushara Rodrigo, Minister (Education & Culture), Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Second Secretary(Consular), Niranga Palipana and other staff.
