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The International Day of Vesak was celebrated at the UN premises in Nairobi with the participation of several Ambassadors and High Commissioners, senior UN officials and other dignitaries on 17 May 2011. The Buddhist Flag was jointly hoisted by H.E. Jayantha Dissanayake,  the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka and  Mr. Thawat Kwanchti Actg. Ambassador of the Royal Thai Embassy, before commencement of the function.  The lighting of the traditional oil lamp  was done with  the participation of all Heads of Missions present and with the senior officials of UN including some members of the Sri Lanka Association.  

"It is appropriate that the enlightenment of Gauthama the Buddha 2600 years ago, a  teacher who preached non-violence, tolerance, understanding and self realization, should be celebrated by the United Nations. This organization was created on the smouldering embers of global war and the resulting death, destruction and massive displacement, to maintain international peace and security, to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems and to develop friendly relations among nations based on mutual respect.
Against this background, the Buddha's message remains ever relevant", Dr Palitha Kohona.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria with association of Buddhist Temples    of Thailand, China, and Myanmar, has organised series of events to commemorate the 2600th Anniversary of the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha ,the 2600th Sri Sambuhtdhathwa Jayanthi. The main celebration was held in the evening of Vesak day, 17th May 2011 at the Johannesburg Meditation Centre, highlighting the importance of Buddhist teachings and its relevance to day-to-day life under the theme “Let us   Revitalize our Moral Life”.

Sinhala-Hindu New Year Celebrations were organised by the Sri Lankan Association of Kenya on 1st May 2011. The New Year celebrations were ceremonially  declared open by H.E.. Jayantha Dissanayake, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya after hoisting the National Flag and  lighting the traditional oil lamp.
 

The Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO and the Asia Pacific Group of Member States in association with the Director General and Secretariat of UNESCO have finalized preparations for the holding of an international scholarly symposium on “the Contributions of the Buddha’s Teachings to Universality, Humanism and Peace” on 20th May 2011.

The Assistant Director General of UNESCO in charge of Education welcomed the efforts being made by Sri Lanka to establish a Teacher Development Institute in Sri Lanka which would serve as a hub for the region in catering to national needs while reaching out to countries in the region to support their teacher networks and strengthen their professional capacity.