SL gifts Artwork of ‘Sri Dalada Perahera’ to UNESCAP

Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of UN Proclamation of the International Day of Vesak, Sri Lanka Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne, handed over a magnificent traditional Artwork of ‘Sri Dalada Perahera’ to the Under-Secretary-General of the UN & Executive Secretary of the UNESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana at the UN Conference Centre, (UNCC) Bangkok, on the Visakha Pooja Day, 22nd May 2022 (22 May Vesak 2567 BE) to display at the UNCC in Bangkok.

At the handing over ceremony, Ambassador Chaminda Colonne recalled the recognition of the International Day of Vesak at the UN 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 the Life of Lord Buddha, Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinibbhana took place on the Full Moon Day in the month of Vesak of Buddhist Calendar and the Buddha’s Mahaparinibbhana occurred 2567 years ago and the year 2024 is 2567 of Buddhist Era, in the Buddhist Calendar.

Introducing the magnificent artwork, the 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 fervor, 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 Artwork ‘Sri Dalada Perahera’ showcasing Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, the Under-Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana expressed her sincere gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka for gifting the magnificent artwork on a special day to the UN and to the Buddhist World, to display in the UNCC premises. She said that the artwork 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 to 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 Counselor/Deputy Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Vireshika Bandara of the Mission, also joined the ceremony held at the UNESCAP.

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