Sri Lankan President participates in Thai Sambuddha Jayanthi ceremony

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on a four-day official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand participated in the Sambuddha Jayanthi inauguration ceremony as a distinguished invitee.

The ceremony was held Thursday (May 31) at the main auditorium of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidayalaya University, a public Buddhist university in Thailand, under the auspicious of Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand to mark the 2600th anniversary of Buddha's Enlightenment.

Cultural Minister of Thailand welcomed the Sri Lankan delegation including the President.

President Rajapaksa offered a memento to the Chancellor of Mahachulalongkorn Rajavidayalaya University, Venerable Professor Dhammakasojan Thera to mark the occasion.

The 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi Ceremony which is also the 9th Vesak commemoration ceremony of the United Nations Organizations, will be held in Thailand from today to 2nd June.

More than 2500 Buddhists representing 58 countries are participating in this ceremony. Over 400 persons including Buddhist monks represent Sri Lanka in the ceremony.

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Cultural affairs, T.B. Ekanayake, Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, M.K.D.S. Gunawardena, United National Party Parliamentarian Gayantha Karunathilaka, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Thailand General Shantha Kottegoda, and Diyawadana Nilame (Custodian) of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Pradeep Nilanga Dela were also present on the occasion.