|
|
 |
 |
|||
United Nations in New York for the first time in its history is to celebrate Vesak on May 5. Acting Minister of Foreign Affiars Lakshamn Kiriella at the United Nations in New York on Wednesday thanked the representatives of the 34 countries who sponsored this Resolution on behalf of the President and the government of Sri Lanka for the wholehearted support extended by their governments to make Vesak a reality. He was addressing a luncheon meeting of Ambassadors and representatives of UN Member States which has sponsored a UN General Assembly Resolution, introduced by Sri Lanka on the "International Recognition of the day of Vesak". Tracing the genesis of the Resolution, the Acting Minister said that the decision was taken at the International Buddhist Conference held in Colombo from November 9-14, 1998, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, to urge the UN to give international recognition for the observance of Vesak. Mr. Kiriella solicited their assistance and co-operation in making the celebration of Vesak at the UN for the first time on May 5, 2000, a resounding success. "The Message of the Buddha is timeless and relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago. Vesak which marks the Birth, the attainment of supreme enlightenment and the passing away of the Buddha will be celebrated at the UN next month for the first time in its history," he said.
|
|
Contact Information: Send
mail to