It is with much devotion and faith that I join all Sri Lankan Buddhists in celebrating the Great Vesak Festival.

We know that the greatest homage we could pay to the Buddha is to live the Vesak season according to the teachings of the Buddha.

The Buddha showed us that advancement in this world and the next could be achieved by appreciating what is good. The policy of the government is to steer the country to the correct path by adhering to the dhamma. In doing so our responsibility is to tolerate other opinions and act with loving kindness. As the Buddha has taught:

“Be alert; do not idle. Follow the law of virtue.
He who is virtuous lives happily both in this world and the next”
- Dhammapada. Ch. 13. v.168

Let us stop being indifferent and speaking ill of the past. We should brook no delay in working to build a virtuous land.

Our hope is to bequeath a prosperous country that is without armaments and fear of enemies and robbers; a country in which all could live in tranquility. Our resolve on this Vesak Day is to work with a correct vision in keeping with the dhamma. This will see the fruition of our actions to build a new Sri Lanka.

Let us resolve make this Vesak Festival meaningful by seeking refuge in the serene path of Buddha.

May you all obtain refuge in the Buddha!

Mahinda Rajapaksa