Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday morning opened the International Buddhist Conference to commemorate together with India, the 2.600th "Sambuddhtva Jayanthi", the anniversary of Buddha's enlightenment. The conference, organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in the Buddhist centre of Pallekele, Kandy (Central Province), was also attended by Prime Minister DM Jayaratne and Minister of Foreign Affairs G.L. Peiris, for Sri Lanka. For India, the High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and Suresh K. Goel, managing director of the Iccr.
Kantha has emphasized the importance of fundamental and universal values and philosophy proposed by Buddha, pointing out that the cultural interaction between India and Sri Lanka has been marked by a cross-fertilization in the spheres of art, literature and philosophy. For the High Commissioner of India, projects like the launch of "Dambadiwa Vandana" - a special train for Sri Lankan pilgrims who want to follow the Buddhist Dambadiva path – are part of a series of initiatives that reflect India’s desire of to strengthen ties with Sri Lanka.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has expressed his admiration for the Buddhist religion. During the celebration of mass at the church of S. Mary in Kegalle (Rathnapura diocese), the cardinal announced that all Sri Lankans should respect Buddhism and pass on its teachings and core values.
Out of respect for Buddhist brothers and sisters, Msgr. Ranjith has asked all Catholics to avoid the consumption of liquor and meat during the "Wesak" the period in which the Sambuddhtva Jayanthi is celebrated.