Sri Lanka Embassy in Rome commemorates Vesak and Poson with program on flood relief assistance

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome organised a special event in commemoration of Vesak and Poson at the Embassy premises in Rome on Saturday, 10 June. The highlight of the event was the special Flood Relief Assistance Program which was organised to raise funds due to the serious flooding and landslides in Sri Lanka.  

The event was organised in coordination with the Sri Lankan associations in Rome and well-wishers from the different communities and religions. In view of the natural disaster in Sri Lanka, many of the Sri Lankan associations together with the Embassy agreed not to hold the initially planned Dansala and instead collected the funds allocated for the event for those affected and displaced in Sri Lanka. 

The Embassy staff together with their family members sang Bakthi Gee at the event. Special prayers were held by Venerable Nanda Thero, Chief Priest of Dharmashoka Viharaya in Nomentana and Venerable Panduwasnuwara Seelarathana Thero of the Viterbo Buddhist Temple. 

The Embassy together with the Sri Lankan associations decorated the premises with colourful lanterns and set up a Pandal, which was viewed and enjoyed by Sri Lankans and Italians alike. Those participating in the event were offered tea, biscuits and ice cream by well-wishers.

In the morning of 10 June, Daya Pelpola together with the Embassy staff offered Dana to the Venerable priests of Dharmashoka Viharaya in Nomentana and the Viterbo Buddhist Temple.

The funds collected from the Sri Lankan Associations, well-wishers and staff of the Embassy under the Flood Relief Assistance Program will be channelled to the relevant institutions in Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.