The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Iran celebrated Vesak Day at the Chancery premises in Tehran on 05 May 2023 under the theme of “the serenity of the mind”. The staff of the Mission and Sri Lanka community members together with some Iran nationals assembled at the Embassy premises in the evening of Vesak Day and engaged in the Vesak religious proceedings. The programme commenced with the hoisting of the Buddhist Flag by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Islamic Republic of Iran G.M.V. Wishwanath Aponsu with his staff.
After lightening of the lanterns and opening Sath Sathiya Thorana, the Vesak Day messages of the President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry were read out in Sinhala, Tamil and English languages.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Iran highlighted the importance of observing the Vesak in a meaningful manner and emphasized the responsibility that fall upon all of us to practice the Lord Buddha’s universal message of compassion, love, peace and harmony. Further, he urged Sri Lankans in Iran and the Embassy staff to work with determination to rebuild an affluent Sri Lanka with the self-management taught in Buddhism as per the Vesak day message of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The Ambassador specially thanked all religious participants for their presence at the Vesak Day event.
The Vesak Day religious programme was conducted with the participation of all Sri Lankan community members and other Buddhists and the religious programme included Gilanpasa Pooja, Buddha Wandana, Dhamma discussion and a special Vesak Dharamadesana. Singing Buddhist devotional songs (Bakthi Gee) was the most colourful event of the Vesak Programme. The Vesak Dansala organized by the Embassy was enjoyed by hundreds of visitors.
The Embassy premises were colorfully decorated with Buddhist flags, Vesak lanterns, lamps and other decorations portraying the Sri Lankan traditions of celebrating Vesak.
At the end of the programme, the participants were invited to enjoy a Sri Lankan vegetarian dinner.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tehran
08 May 2023
