The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the first time, in coordination with the Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya and Sri Lanka Buddhist Viharaya, Sentul organized an overnight Pirith Chanting ceremony and Heel Dana for twenty five Venerable members of the Maha Sanga invited from Sri Lanka and representing Buddhist Temples in Kuala Lumpur at the Chancery premises on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May. A large gathering of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Malaysia and Buddhist devotees in Malaysia participated in these activities organized by the Mission, as part of the Vesak Celebrations and to invoke blessings on H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government, the people of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka armed forces. The High Commission premises were decked with colourful Vesak lanterns, Buddhist flags and other decorations. The High Commission staff had erected a colourful 16 foot Vesak Thorana depicting the Buddha Charitha. The High Commissioner of India and Ambassadors of Vietnam and Myanmar also attended the ceremony on the invitation of the Sri Lanka High Commissioner Ibrahim Ansar. Hon. Janaka Banadara Thennakoon who was on a visit to Malaysia was also participated at the ceremony as a Special Guest.
The Chief Sanganayaka of Malaysia and Chief Priest of Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya Ven. Dato Sri K. Dhammaratana Maha Thero delivered the opening Pirith Anushashanawa and the Chief Incumbent of Kasagala Rajamahaviharaya, Udagala Ven. Thalamporuwe Indrasiri Sumana Maha Thero and Ven K. Siri Dhamma Thero of Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya conducted the Pirith chanting. The Chief Incumbent of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Viharaya, Sentul Ven. Butawatthe Saranankara Maha Thero delivered the Punyaanumodana Dhamma Deshanya following the Heel Dana. Ven. Dato Sri K. Dhammaratana Maha Thero delivering the Anushashanawa outlined the meaning of the Triple Festival of Vesak commemorating the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Buddha and importance of conducting a Pirith Chanting and its merits.
In his concluding remarks, Ven. Butawatthe Saranankara Maha Thero commended the service rendered by the High Commissioner and staff for organising the Vesak celebrations at the High Commission and their active participation in events organised by Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya and Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul.
The oldest Buddhist Viharaya in Malaysia, the Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya organised the annual colourful street procession on 13th May with the participation of a large number of Buddhist devotees. High Commissioner Ansar attended as the Chief Guest at the flag hoisting ceremony held at Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya on 13th May and hoisted the Buddhist flag. In his speech the High Commissioner expressed his appreciation to the Chief Sanganayaka of Malaysia and Chief Priest of Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya Ven. Dato Sri K. Dhammaratana Maha Thero for his services rendered to Buddhist devotees in Malaysia. The Brickfields Buddhist Maha Viharaya also organised a Blood donation to mark Vesak. The staff of the High Commission participated in all the events organised by the two main temples in Kuala Lumpur.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Kuala Lumpur
19th May 2014
