The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates organized a special two-day event on 03 and 04 June 2023 to celebrate “Poson Full Moon Poya” at the Embassy premises. Poson is celebrated every year by the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in commemoration of the special historical event when Lord Buddha’s disciple Arahat Mahinda first preached Buddhist doctrines to King Devanampiyatissa in 236 BC introducing Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
With the true spirit of Poson, a large gathering of the Sri Lankan community (more than 2000) residing in the UAE attended all religious events organized by the Embassy. The two-day event included Buddha pooja, Dhamma Sermons, Sil Programme and Almsgiving conducted by Ven. Ambanwala Somarthna thero of Chittha Vivekashramaya, Battaramulla, Colombo.
Bakthi gee presented by the Embassy staff, children of the Abu Dhabi Dhamma School, Dayaka Sabawa of Abu Dhabi Temple and the Teachers and Parents Committee of the Abu Dhabi Dhamma School added serenity to the event.
Ven. Ambanwala Somarthna thero of Chittha Vivekashramaya, Battaramulla, conducted the religious programme and invoked blessings upon the participants and the citizens of Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates for a peaceful and a happy life.
Addressing the participants, Ambassador Udaya Indrarathna, emphasized the importance of celebrating the Poson festival and highlighted the relevance of the teachings of lord Buddha for every individual to live happily and peacefully. The Ambassador also appreciated the immense assistance extended by the Sri Lankan community in Abu Dhabi to conduct the event in a grand scale and explained the Embassy’s vision to unite all Sri Lankans residing in UAE in a spirit of harmony as a nation.
To create the Poson ambience, the Embassy with the assistance of the Sri Lankan community including the Sri Lanka Sports Association in Abu Dhabi built a Pandol and decorated the premises with Buddhist flags and lanterns. The highlight of the event was the Pandol depicting the “Nigrodha Miga jathakaya” and attracted a large crowd to the Embassy premises.
The participants and passers-by were invited to enjoy food and drinks (dansal) arranged by the Embassy in collaboration with the various organizations/ restaurants and community members based in Abu Dhabi.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Abu Dhabi
09 May 2023
