Sri Lanka will host the 60th anniversary celebration of the World Buddhist Sangha Council and the second executive committee meeting of its 11th General Assembly from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2.
A special discussion on organizing the international event was held Tuesday (24) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
A joint committee comprising the minister of Buddha Sasana, a representative of the Presidential Secretariat, the defense secretary, the inspector general of police and Foreign Ministry officials will be appointed to coordinate state support for the event.
About 600 foreign delegates from 50 countries representing Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist traditions are expected to attend, along with around 500 local monks, including the Mahanayake Theros of the three Nikayas. Heads of state from Buddhist-majority countries, including the King of Bhutan, are also expected to be invited.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to be held on Nov. 28 at the Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies in Colombo. Executive sessions and an academic conference will follow on Nov. 29.
A special religious ceremony for world peace will be held on Nov. 30 at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Religious observances are also planned for Dec. 1 at the Ruwanwelisaya and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.
President Dissanayake emphasized that the event should be organized with national significance and assured full government support. He instructed officials to identify and expedite all necessary arrangements in coordination with the organizing committee to ensure the event conveys a positive message about Sri Lanka’s hospitality to the world.
Discussions also included arrangements for special airport facilities for visiting monks and foreign delegates, as well as infrastructure preparations at the host venue. The president highlighted the importance of formal diplomatic invitations to ensure high-level international participation.
Organizers noted that the council, first established in 1966 in Sri Lanka, is marking its diamond jubilee in the country of its origin, calling it a significant milestone. (NewsWire)
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