2006-05-12

President declares Sambuddha Jayanthi Year

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday declared the year commencing from Vesak full moon Poya day of 2006 to Vesak full moon day of 2007 as Sri Lanka's 2550th Sambuddha Jayanthi year.

The President announced the Sambuddha Jayanthi year at a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday with the participation of the Maha Sangha to announce the Government's plans to commemorate the 2550th Sambuddha Jayanthi and Vesak.

Mahanayake Theras of Shyamopali Maha Chapters, the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter, Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddha Rakhitha Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter, Lekhadhikari Ven. Kotugoda Dhammavasa of the Amarapura Chapter and Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thera of the Ramanna Chapter were present.

"The Vesak full moon day is the most sacred and exalted day for the Buddhist public around the globe. The Vesak full moon day falls this year marking the 2550th year of the Buddha's parinibbana. Hence, I declare the year commencing from the Full Moon Day of Vesak 2006 to the Full Moon Day of Vesak, 2007 as the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Year of Sri Lanka," the President announced.

Central Bank Governor Sunil Mendis presented coins embedded with pictures denoting various events of the Buddha's life and historical Buddhist events and places in Sri Lanka, to President Rajapaksa.

The President handed over them to the Mahanayake Theras and the Maha Sangha. Most Ven. Weweldeniye Medhalankara Mahanayake Thera praised the Government for making the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi and Vesak an official event in schools by instructing principals and education authorities.

"The Sri Lankan public are very enthusiastic about celebrating Vesak. They build Vesak pandals and Vesak lanterns," the Mahanayake Thera said adding it would bring greater benefits to them if they direct this attitude towards spiritual development.

He pointed out that if we were to bring peace to the country, we have to build a disciplined society by promoting and developing our moral qualities.

"If we could create a society that is committed to observe panchasheela, the basic precepts, we will be able to create a peaceful society," he said.

The President presented an award to Ven. Rambukkhana Siddhartha Thera in recognition for his cassette Yathiwara Pooja.