A Buddhist Religious Ceremony to bequeath the triple gem blessings on the occasion of the 68th Birthday of H. E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa was held at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome, Italy on 18th November 2013. This event was also symbolized with planting of an Olive three at the Chancery of the Embassy.
The event, coordinated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka under the direct guidance of the newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Italy, H. E. Mr. Nawalage Bennet Cooray, was very well attended with the participation of Chief Buddhist priests of two leading Temples in Rome and a significant presence of Sri Lankan Community in Italy.
Ambassador Cooray in his address to the audience stated that this is the first time that the Embassy has hosted a blessings service and tree planting event for the president on his birthday in Rome. Commenting on the long standing and enduring friendship between Sri Lanka and Italy, the Ambassador stated that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy under “the Mahinda Chinthana Concept” is based on being “friends with all and enemies of none”.
Elaborating on many laudable achievements, the country has accomplished under the visionary and able guidance and leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Ambassador further stated that Sri Lanka at present stands at a point of new era of peace, mutual trust and stability, which has been proven with the commendable economic and social progress being achieved in the country and with the successful hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) by Sri Lanka in November 2013.
He further stated that he was pleased to witness the participation of a large gathering of Sri Lankan Community, whose contribution in Sri Lanka’s economic and social development has been highly acknowledged and appreciated by the government of Sri Lanka. He assured that the Embassy under his guidance will take every possible endeavour to serve the community in Italy with a sense of understanding of their issues and accord them deserving dignity by improving the quality of services being offered at present.
The observance of Pansil and chanting of Pirith were given by Ven. Dambadeniye Dhammarama Thero and Ven. Molligoda Dheerananda Thero, representing two Buddhist temples and offered the blessings of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sanga to H.E. the President, the Country, the Ambassador and Embassy Staff and the Sri Lankan Community in Italy.
Pictures attached show the well attended the event of Buddhist religious ceremony and tree planting ceremony.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka
Rome
18.11.2013
