INTERNATIONAL DAY OF VESAK CELEBRATED

The Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand to the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva jointly hosted a commemorative event at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva on the auspicious day of 30 April 2026, in observance of the International Day of Vesak, which honors the life and teachings of the Buddha.

The Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Mongolia, H.E. Mrs. D. Gerelmaa, attended the event and emphasized that the teachings of the Buddha transformed the mindset of their ancestors, once fierce warriors who built a vast empire, becoming a guiding way of life for Mongolian nomads and shaping their unique traditions and culture.

She also highlighted that while Chingis Khaan, the founder of the Mongol Empire, achieved external victories through the conquest of lands and peoples, his descendant Zanabazar achieved inner victory as a great Buddhist monk, overcoming ignorance, desire and anger—the roots of suffering—and attained spiritual mastery.

Permanent Representative and Ambassador D. Gerelmaa noted that the teachings of the Buddha not only bring peace and happiness to individuals but are also essential for strengthening global peace and interfaith harmony.

This is the fourth time that the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and the Kingdom of Thailand have jointly organized a commemorative event to mark the occasion.