Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations New York

𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟒𝟎 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

27th Anniversary of the recognition of the International Vesak Day celebrated in the UN Headquarters

Celebrating the 27 th anniversary of the General Assembly resolution 54/115 which recognized International Day of Vesak, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka co-hosted an event with the
Permanent Mission of Thailand at the ECOSOC Chamber of the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday 12 May 2026.

Welcoming the audience to the event, H.E. Jayantha Jayasuriya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka highlighted timeless values of wisdom, tolerance and
peace in teachings of the Buddha in the today’s world.

The High-Level segment of the event included special messages issued by the dignitaries
including the Secretary General and the President of the United Nations, the Foreign Ministers of Sri Lanka and Thailand and the Permanent Representatives of other Member
States of the United Nations.

The message from the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations Annalena Baerbock was presented by the Chef de Cabinet Sofia Borges. The President remarked on the relevance of the Buddha’s teachings during this time of turmoil and emphasized the importance of Vesak as an opportunity to reflect on those teachings.

The Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres through his video message stated that Vesak this year comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and the end
for conflicts can be found in Lord Buddha’s teachings of non-violence.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka Vijitha Herath in his video message highlighted the importance of the Buddha’s teachings in overcoming divisions and the purest form of happiness that could be attained through the path of Lord Buddha.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow by his video messages articulated on the role of compassion, mindfulness and balance in relating to one another for shaping the system for betterment and its resonance in the UN Charter.

Religious blessings and sermons representing Buddhist traditions of Sri Lanka and Thailand respectively were conducted by Buddhist monks after the remarks.

Following the blessings, delivering a special address the Most Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra who led the recent Walk for Peace, delivered the keynote address. The Venerable Bhikku emphasized that true peace is not bestowed externally but is cultivated through loving kindness. He also stated that Buddha’s teachings remain profoundly relevant even today.

Delivering the closing remarks of the event, the Permanent Representative of Thailand Ambassador Cherdchai Chaivaivid highlighted that Lord Buddha’s teaching guides us to face
the many challenges of today’s world.

Representing the Member States the dignitaries from the Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Japan, Mongolia, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Bhutan, Malaysia, Russian Federation, and Singapore delivered statements at the event highlighting the importance of International Day of Vesak.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York
12 May 2026

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𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 ‘𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚’ 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧- 𝟐𝟗.𝟎𝟒.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The annual ‘Beauty of Sri Lanka’ Photographic Exhibition’ organized by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society in Los Angeles was held at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka on 29.04.2026.

The event drew strong participation from the New York–based diplomatic community and UN officials, who expressed genuine appreciation for Sri Lanka’s rich natural and cultural landscape.

Mr. Earle Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, Executive Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations, was invited to the event as the Chief Gues. Mr. Rattray expressed admiration for Sri Lanka’s extraordinary landscapes, rich biodiversity, vibrant wildlife, Sri Lanka’s living heritage, timeless traditions and cultural depth carefully preserved and passed down through generations. He emphasized that protecting nature must go beyond conservation alone, highlighting the need to advance sustainable development alongside environmental protection.

The event presented a collection of photos highlighting the natural beauty and the cultural traditions of Sri Lanka. The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka thanked the America Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society and the photographers for their commendable work in portraying the unique beauty of Sri Lanka.

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York
05 May 2026

Message of H.E. the President, on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Message of the Hon. Prime Minister on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Message of the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism on the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Jayantha Jayasuriya met the newly appointed Permanent Representative of Bhutan to the United Nations Tenzin Rondel Wangchuk on 26 March 2026. Matters of mutual interest including strengthening bilateral cooperation through multilateral fora were discussed during the meeting