The Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO organized a cultural evening themed “Let us make haste to stand together for the common good” on 04 May 2026 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in commemoration of the International Day of Vesak. The event was organized in partnership with UNESCO and fifteen (15) Member States, reflecting the growing significance of Vesak within UNESCO following the decisions adopted by its governing bodies.
The Assistant Director-General for Culture a.i., Lazare Eloundou Assomo, represented the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, as the Chief Guest. The event brought together members of the Buddhist clergy, religious leaders, Ambassadors and Permanent Delegates to UNESCO, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and a diverse international
audience, underscoring the universal message of Vesak and its relevance to peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
The celebration commenced with the recitation of the Jayamangala Gatha (Verses on the Blessings of Success), by children of Sri Lankan heritage in France. The Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Sri Lanka and Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO, Sanju Dasanayake, delivered the opening remarks, extending a warm welcome to all honoured guests as well as invitees, and underscored the significance of Vesak in advancing UNESCO’s mandate of promoting peace and intercultural
dialogue. She expressed her deep appreciation to UNESCO and Member States for their continued support in institutionalizing
the annual commemoration of Vesak at UNESCO, in line with the Executive Board Decision 219 EX/27 and General Conference Resolution 43 C/22.
The Chief Guest Assistant Director-General for Culture a.i., Lazare Eloundou Assomo, highlighted the life and teachings of the Buddha, emphasizing the universal values of compassion, generosity, tolerance, and respect for diversity which continue to inspire people across cultures. He noted that Vesak serves as a reminder of the importance of unity, solidarity, and care for others and nature, in line with UNESCO’s commitment to promoting peace and intercultural dialogue. He also commended Sri Lanka and its partners for their leadership in advancing this meaningful initiative within UNESCO.
Delivering a special address on the Relevance of Vesak, Venerable Parawahera Chandraratana Thero, Chief Incumbent of the International Buddhist Centre in France and Co-President of the Buddhist Union of France, reflected on the core teachings of Buddhism, emphasizing their timeless guidance in overcoming suffering and achieving inner peace.
The Founder Director of the Association Kusalayan – Centre de Méditation Bouddhique in Paris, Venerable Jyotisar Shraman Thero, delivered an address on “Embracing Buddhist Wisdom and Mindful Well-being for Peace,” emphasizing the role of mindfulness, meditation, and compassion in cultivating inner balance. He highlighted that these teachings foster inner harmony through mindfulness and ethical conduct, promoting emotional balance, compassion, and social cohesion, thereby contributing to peace.
The evening’s celebration also featured a series of captivating cultural performances, including traditional dance, music and song recitals by the Permanent Delegations of China, India, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Nepal, Viet Nam, and Sri Lanka, as well as the Buddha’s Light International Association France. The performances showcased the rich tapestry of cultural heritage and artistic expression of each participating country, fostering a deeper appreciation of the beauty of diverse cultural traditions.
The cultural programme was followed by a vibrant reception, featuring a diverse selection of multi-national cuisine offered by the Permanent Delegations of Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Uzbekistan. Over 450 participants attended the celebrations, enjoying the spirit of Vesak in an atmosphere of warmth, friendship, and intercultural harmony. The commemoration reaffirmed UNESCO’s commitment to promoting peace through intercultural dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.
Embassy of Sri Lanka and
Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO
Paris, France
10 May 2026
