President attends Sambuddhatva Jayanthi inaugural ceremony in Thailand

President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the inaugural ceremony of the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebrations in Thailand held under the sponsorship of the government of Thailand as the Guest of Honour yesterday.

President Rajapaksa also presented a special memento to Ven Prof Dhammakosjan Thera, Chancellor of the Mahachulalornkonraj University to mark the occasion.

The 2,600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebrations sponsored by the Thai government was held at the main auditorium of the Mahachulalornkonraj University yesterday morning presided by Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand.

President Rajapaksa and his delegation was welcomed on arrival at the venue by the Cultural Affairs Minister of Thailand.

A press release by the President’s Media Division said the 2,600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi celebrations in Thailand which also marks the United Nations 9th Vesak Commemoration Day will continue till June 2. Over 2,500 delegates and representing 58 countries are attending the celebrations.

Among them are over 400 delegates from Sri Lanka, including the Maha Sangha, Minister of External Affairs Prof G L Peiris, Culture and the Arts Minister T B Ekanayake, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K D S Gunewardene, Parliamentarian Gayantha Karunatilleke and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela.