The Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, Canada joined Vesak celebrations on the Parliament Hill hosted by the Member of Parliament of Canada and a member of the Canada - Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group, Chandra Arya on May 18, 2019.

Addressing the gathering at the ceremony Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada, Asoka Girihagama appreciated the efforts of different Buddhist monasteries and temples in Canada to propagate Buddhism and celebrate Vesak by arranging various spiritual programmes. The High Commissioner also described the current situation in Sri Lanka and explained how Sri Lankans had celebrated Vesak in a simple manner this year by diverting from normal practices such as Dansalas (free Giveaways) to provide more assistance to the churches and families of the victims of the April 21^st attacks in keeping with the real practice of Buddhism.

The Vesak on the Hill celebrations were attended by members of the Monastic community, diplomatic corps and the Ottawa Buddhist Community. Celebrations featured prayers and speeches by venerable Buddhist clergy, cultural performances and art displays from Ottawa’s diverse Asian communities. The Sri Lanka High Commission served complementary Ceylon tea to the visitors who attended the event.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

21^st May 2019