Sri Lanka gifts art work of  ‘Sri Dalada Perahera’ to UNESCAP

• Gesture in commemoration of 25th anniversary of UN Proclamation of the International Day of Vesak

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Proclamation of the International Day of Vesak, Ambassador of Sri Lanka and UNESCAP Permanent Representative C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne, handed over a magnificent traditional art work of ‘Sri Dalada Perahera’ to the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Bangkok on the Visakha Pooja Day, 22 May to display at the UNCC in Bangkok.

During the handing over occasion, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Chaminda Colonne recalled the recognition of the International Day of Vesak at the United Nations General Assembly by its resolution 54/115 of 1999, as a result of a motion spearheaded by distinguished former Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka the late Lakshman Kadirgamar. The Ambassador added that every important occasion of Life of Lord Buddha, the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinibbhana took place on the Full Moon Day in the month of Vesak of Buddhist Calendar and Lord Buddha’s Mahaparinibbhana occurred 2,567 years ago and the year 2024 is 2567 of Buddhist Era, in the Buddhist Calendar.

Introducing the magnificent art work, Ambassador stated that the ‘Sri Dalada Perahera’ which is also known as the ‘Kandy Esala Perahera’, is a grand procession held annually (July-August) in the historic city of Kandy to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, the left canine tooth of Lord Buddha, with great fervour, featuring traditional drummers, dancers, elaborately adorned elephants, and religious ceremonies that attract thousands of visitors from around the world.

While highly admiring the gift of magnificent traditional art work ‘Sri Dalada Perahera’ showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana expressed her sincere gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for gifting the magnificent art work on a special day to the United Nations and to the Buddhist world, to display in the UNCC premises. She said that the art work from Sri Lanka will be admired and attracted by the VVIPs, delegates visiting the compound from all over the world, working staff of the premises and also more than 3,000 visitors visiting the UNCC annually. Video presentations were also made on the Kandy Esala Perahera, and Kandy UNESCO world heritage site.

Secretary of the Commission Lorenzo Santucci, Deputy Secretary of the Commission Caridad Canales Davila, Director of the Division of Administration Soomi Ro, Chief of the Conference Management Unit Sunhye Park Jinamornphongs of the UNESCAP, First Secretary/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, A.W.S Samanmali, and Counsellor/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Vireshika Bandara of the Mission also joined the ceremony held at the UNESCAP.