The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Muscat celebrated the Vesak Ceremony for the year 2024 in a grand manner honoring the noble triple events of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Gautama Buddha. The Embassy organized a series of religious activities including offering alms to Maha Sangha, a blood donation and medical campaign, a spectacular Vesak Pandol and providing alms at Dansal. These events took place at the Embassy premises from 17 to 25 May 2024 and were attended by the Sri Lankan community in the Sultanate of Oman.
The main Vesak Poya Day Sil programme was conducted by Venerable Kelaniye Ajitha Thero and Venerable Galkisse Somananda Thero, who arrived in the Sultanate at the invitation of the temple committee of the Sambuddhathawa Jayanthi Viharaya.
In addition to the main ceremony at the temple, the spectacular Vesak Pandol (Vesak Thorana) was erected at the Embassy premises by three Sri Lankan expatriates, in coordination with the Embassy. The pandol, which depicted the story of Swarna Mayura Jathaka tale, was inaugurated by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Sultanate of Oman A.L. Sabarullah Khan on the evening of 21 May 2024 amidst chanting by two venerable Theros.
In conjunction with the Vesak Pandol, Embassy staff organized Kadala and Ginger tea Dansala to celebrate International Tea Day from 21 to 25 May 2024.
The Sambuddha Puja was conducted at the temple from 17 to 25 May 2024. There was a significant gathering, and the Sil programme was conducted on the weekends. Ambassador Sabarullah Khan honored the main Sambuddha Puja event on the poyaday evening held at the temple. During the welcome of the two Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of this solemn occasion which commemorates the Vesak ceremony and marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the General Assembly Resolution 54/115. This resolution, internationally recognizes the Day of Vesak, and was initiated by Sri Lanka.
The Ambassador and the staff offered alms to the two Ven. monks at the Official Residence of the Ambassador in commemoration of the Vesak event on 20 May 2024.
This religious activity was part of the week-long Vesak celebration.
Additionally, the Sambuddhathawa Jayanthi Viharaya and the Sri Lankan Social Club in Oman, in coordination with the Embassy, organized a blood donation and free medical campaign at the Embassy premises on 18 May 2024 from 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. The event saw participation from many Sri Lankans serving in the Sultanate and the Embassy staff members.
2000 Sri Lankans residing in the Sultanate, including multi religious communities, visited to witness the Vesak celebrations held at the Embassy and temple premises.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Muscat
31 May 2024
