The UN Secretary-General Ban ki Moon said that "the teachings of the Buddha may be twenty six centuries old but they are as relevant as ever today."

Speaking at the occasion Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, Dr. Palitha Kohona said "In a world troubled by endless violence, terrorism, inequality, natural and man made calamities, mistrust and conflict, poverty and deprivation, the Buddha's message of tolerance, understanding and equanimity provides an abiding guiding light. It is not being paralyzed by the past but by calmly reaching to the future that one will achieve peace."
Wimal Weerawansa, the Minister for Housing spoke representing the President of Sri Lanka. The underlying theme of all the speakers was the message of peace, tolerance and understanding central to Buddhism.

A commemorative volume entitled "Buddhism - 2600 Years and Beyond" was presented to the Secretary-General by the Venerable Kurunegoda Piyatissa and a publication "Sri Lankan Identity - 2600 Years" authored by Ambassador Shavendra Silva was also gifted by him.

An interfaith dialogue was also organized, chaired by the Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative, Dr. Palitha Kohona, who made the introductory comments. Speakers repeatedly referred to the gentle impact of Buddhism in the societies that it touched. The underlying theme of peace, and non-violence and its impact on the history, the art, and the culture of the vast Asian continent was central to their presentations. 5 speakers addressed the theme from different perspectives, including a rabbi from NY, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, an Hindu priest from India, Swami Viditatmananda, a Christian academic from Columbia University, Professor John Knitter, a senior curator from the Metropolitan Museum of NY, Dr. John Guy. Sri Lanka was represented by three speakers, Dr. Ananda Guruge, Professor Sudharshan Seneviratna, and Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. The Venerable Thich Tam Duc (Vietnam), the Venerable Ashin Nyanissara (Myanmar), Reverend Shogun Kumakura (Japan), Venerable Karunanada (Bangladesh), Reverend Dhammadeepa, Reverend Kodo Umezu, Reverend Kamiya, and The Khamba Lama of Mongolia spoke on behalf of their communities.