The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe attended the felicitation ceremony celebrating the 75th birth anniversary and the 65th year of monkhood of Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero. The ceremony was held at the Lion of Wisdom Meditation Centre in Gaithersburg, Maryland on 25 August 2024.
Addressing the ceremony Ambassador Samarasinghe stated that those who serve as Ambassadors are only temporary representatives of the country and the culture, whereas Prelates such as Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero, who has functioned as the Chief Incumbent of the Washington Buddhist Vihara for the past 37 years, have held the Sri Lankan flag aloft promoting Sri Lankan culture and way of life overseas for an extensive period.
The simple event was attended by over 60 monks from several states in the U.S., Canada and Japan in addition to nearly 400 Buddhist devotees from the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia areas. Greetings from Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland were delivered through video messages during the event. A commemorative souvenir including congratulatory messages from the four Prelates of the principal Buddhist Chapters in Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayaka, was presented to the Venerable Monk.
Ambassador Samarasinghe also paid tribute to the Venerable Monks who lost their lives defending Buddhism from colonial depredation while recalling that the Maha Sangha has preserved and nurtured Buddhist philosophy and way of life over the 2,500 years of Sri Lankan civilization, despite severe strains on the culture during the colonial rule. During the time traditional Poya full moon holidays and Buddhist festivals including the sacred festival of Vesak were prohibited. He further recalled that no one voiced concerns about human rights violations during that period of economic exploitation and forced religious conversion. However, Sri Lanka continues to co-exist and cooperate with all countries alike to this day, he added, stating that this was a result of the inculcation of Buddhist teaching.
Moreover, the Ambassador appreciated the religious tolerance and accommodation of the United States which has become a home to over 80 Theravada Buddhist Temples at present, starting from the first Temple established in Washington D.C. in the 1950s. This was due to the principle of religious liberty that is a cornerstone of the U.S. constitutional order. Similarly, Sri Lanka also practices religious pluralism. He further stated that our Maha Sangha has protected religious rights of Sri Lankans, and that reverence for the Maha Sangha stems from their sacrifice and service to the country.
Ven. Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero in his remarks thanked Ambassador Samarasinghe for his continued support which he said was a source of strength in carrying out his service. Ven. Walpola Piyananda Thero, Ven. Katugasthota Uparathana Thero and Ven. Karaputugala Indarathana Thero were among the senior monks who also delivered sermons on the occasion. Vice President of the Washington Buddhist Vihara Attorney Sena Basnayake gave the vote of thanks.
The link to the short video on the ceremony:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AgLuGdEZh/?mibextid=oFDknk
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Washington D.C.
05 September 2024
