First ever tele-pandal at Sirasa Wesak Zone

Preparations are underway for the Sirasa Vesak Zone in Braybrooke Place, Colombo 2.

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Let us resolve during this Vesak to seek refuge in the Noble Triple Gem - President

The discipline instilled form Buddha;s teaching enabled our nation to achieve a great culture, bringing worldwide honor and respect to us as a nation states President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Vesak message.

The message  :

"On this occasion we give importance to alms and material offerings and the observance of the principles of Buddhism to venerate the Buddha, in the same manner as we would pay tribute to the living Buddha. "The Buddha's message of the Dhamma made Sri Lanka a blessed land. The discipline instilled form this teaching enabled our nation to achieve a great culture, bringing worldwide honor and respect to us as a nation. Observance of the Dhamma brought us immense protection through more than 2500 years. Similarly, this enriched national unity and religious coexistence. With a State policy that is based on honoring the teachings of the Buddha and a nation rich in these principles, we work with determination and unlimited endeavour to build a land of dignity. "Uttitthe nappamajjeyya-dhammam sucaritam care

Dhammacari sukham seti-asmim loke paramhi ca"

- Dhammapada

"Be alert; do not idle. Follow the law of virtue. He who is virtuous lives happily both in this world and in the next," thus the Buddha taught. Our experience in life is that the teaching of the Buddha is the best way to understand the reality of life.

"Let us resolve during this Vesak season to seek refuge in the Noble Triple Gem and with observance of Buddhist principles receive the protection and blessings of the Dhamma.

"I wish you all a happy Vesak festival."

World can benefit from rich Vesak traditions - UN Sec. Gen.

Vesak Day is a celebration for Buddhists worldwide and an opportunity for all members of the international community to benefit from their rich traditions, states UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in a Vesak message.

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U.S.Report confirms Sri Lankan government respects religious freedom

The U.S.report on International Religious Freedom for 2012 issued recently referring to Sri Lanka states that the Sri Lanka constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally respects religious freedom.

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religious and ethnic disharmony will bring defeat and suffering - Minister Basil

Economic Development Minster Basil Rajapaksa said on Wednesday (May 22) that only Sinhala-Tamil-Muslim unity will bring victory and it is the duty of every one to work in harmony to safeguard this country which has been liberated from terrorism.  Religious and ethnic disharmony will only bring defeat and suffering, he warned.

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Head of Commonwealth Business Council Calls on Prof G L Peiris

Director General of the Commonwealth Business Council, Peter Callaghan called on Professor G.L. Peiris, Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs, for discussions relating to the arrangements under way for the Business Forum which will be held in Colombo in November on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

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