First-ever Wesak Festival opens in Pakistan

The First-Ever Buddhist Wesak Festival organised by the Government of Pakistan was opened in Islamabad on May 29, 2016. On the invitation of Government of Pakistan, a 43-member Sri Lankan delegation is currently in Pakistan to attend the Festival.

Sri Lanka is the only country which was invited for this Festival. The Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister for Primary Industries, Hon. Daya Gamage and Deputy Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Hon. Anuma Gamage includes senior Monks/Religious Scholars, pilgrims and media representatives.

Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui was the chief guest on the inaugural ceremony of the festival at Islamabad.

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Pakistan Maj. Gen. (R) Jayantha Lokuketagodage was also present on the occasion.

While speaking on the occasion, the Advisor to PM on National History and Literary Heritage, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui has said “we are proud to be custodian of holy relics and Buddhist monasteries, which are an assets for the whole mankind”. He expressed the hope that mutual cooperation, friendship and people to people contact will further cement the already existed relations between the two countries. Pakistan is committed to safeguard and preserve not only all the Buddhist archeological sites and monuments but also ritual places of other religions as well in the best possible manner, he added.

He informed the gathering that on the special instructions of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan sent most sacred Gandhara Relics of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka for a month long exposition as a token of friendship from the people of Pakistan for the Sri Lankan people on the occasion of Wesak Festival.

While addressing the gathering, the Sri Lankan Minister for Primary Industry Hon. Daya Gamage thanked the Government of Pakistan for organizing first-ever Wesak Festival in Pakistan and warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation. He lauded the role of the Government of Pakistan for enhancing cultural relations and taking initiatives for the promotion of religious tourism.

The Sri Lankan delegation also visited Dharmarajika Stupa, Sirkap site and offered religious rituals. The delegation also visited Taxila Museum and witnessed the most sacred assets of Gandhara Heritage.

The delegation appreciated the efforts of Government of Pakistan to preserve and restore the centuries-old Buddhist sites despite being a predominate Muslim State.