President and PM reflect on importance of Vesak

by Staff Writer 29-04-2018 | 9:28 AM

Colombo (News1st) - Today marks vesak poya day which celebrates a number of significant events that took place in the life of Lord Buddha. Issuing a message to mark vesak, President Maithripala Sirisena noted that the "Buddha addressed the mindset of the people directly" and through this, the "right of understanding the truth in our own mind after investigating the validity and truth was bestowed to ourselves by the Buddha" The head of state notes that "Gautama Buddha awoke the wisdom of the human to show the absolution of existence and this blessed period of Vesak gives an ideal opportunity to recall the great teachings of the Noble One." (Read full statement)

In his message to the nation to mark Vesak, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that this "is a time for reflection and appreciation of our humanity," he also said that the "the unity Government is determined to make the prospects of a harmonious society a reality through the protection of democratic rights of people." He concluded by saying "May the full moon of Vesak take away the darkness of ignorance, bigotry and hatred towards others and it may herald an era of contentment, peace and evocation for the whole world." (Read full statement)