Embassy of Sri Lanka Kuwait

A large gathering of Sri Lankans converged on the Embassy premises on 25^th June on the occasion of Poson celebrations organized by the Embassy in collaboration with ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-We are the Sri LankansƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ Association in Kuwait.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A notable feature of the occasion was the presence of a large number of Sri Lankans belonging to other religious denominations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

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ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Embassy compound was turned into a makeshift Dhamma Mandiraya for the occasion decorated with Buddhist flags, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Poson lanterns, a pandol, lights and other attractions depicting ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-PosonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ As part of the festivities, a sil campaign was held from morning till mid day in which over 200 participated.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  All devotees were offered alms with the courtesy of Yasasa Cargo, Kuwait.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Buddhist sermons, a meditation session and Buddha Puja were conducted by Mr. E.M. Piyatissa and Mr. Nalin de Silva who volunteered to perform the meritorious deeds and Buddhist rituals.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A more colorful and elaborate ceremony was commenced in the evening with the participation of over 2000 devotees in a tranquil setting.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It all started with a Poson Perehara parading the Embassy compound in which children clad in white clothes carried Buddhist flags and offerings.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The volunteers i.e. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mr. Nalin de Silva assisted by Mr. E.M. Piyatissa conducted religious observances and invoked blessings on the devotees present.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mr. Piyatissa delivered a Damma Desana in which he emphasized the relevance of Buddhist way of life as the only path towards liberation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Thereafter, the Pandol depicting ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Vidura Jathaka StoryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ was ceremonially lit by Mr. Gamini Wijeratne, Actg. President of the Sri Lanka Cultural Association.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Delivering the welcome remarks ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mr. Prasanna Perera of the Embassy narrated the sequence of events that followed since introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arihath Mahinda Thero on a Poson Full Moon Poya Day which culminated in a Buddhist renaissance throughout Sri Lanka benefiting the mankind for theirƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  spiritual upliftment and the evolution of a civilized society.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Speaking on the occasion, President of the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-We are the Sri LankansƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ association, Mr. Ajith Kaldera thanked the members and well-wishers for their commitment and support toward ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-PosonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ festival which he said is their ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-maidenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ activity since inception.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He also briefed the audience on the importance of celebrating Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s religious and cultural festivals for the promotion of heritage, socio-cultural values and customs among fellow citizens.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

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Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Ambassador to Kuwait, Sarath Dissanayake in his remarks appreciated the hard work, generosity and goodwill of the members of the association, Sri Lankan community and well-wishers including the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-SRIƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  TVƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ channel for the success of the Poson celebrations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He said this year the Poson festival in Kuwait is particularly significant in that a Jathaka story was performed live for the first time by a group of artists as a stage dramaThen the crowd was invited to partake in ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Sisil Pan DansalaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and snacks. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Thereafter, the members of the association mesmerized the audience with a Bhakthi Gee performance.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Next, Mr. U.S.K. Udawatta and Mr. Nalin de Silva from Embassy presented a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Kavi BanaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ recital following which a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-ViriduƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ session was staged by the association.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Then came the much awaited ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-finaleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ i.e. the staging of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Nalinika Jathaka StoryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ which was ceremonially commenced with the lighting of the oil lamp.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The sequence of episodes unfolded on the stage during the next 60 minutes was directed and choreographed by Mr. Nishantha Mahawewa, a Veteran Artist and Composer supported by Mr. Prasanna Perera of the Embassy, who wrote the drama script and assisted in editing.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The audience enjoyed the brilliant display of talents by the artists throughout the drama, which was a novel experience to all those present.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Embassy of Sri Lanka Kuwait June 28, 2010