SL to urge UN to declare Vesak as full UN holiday

8 January 2017 02:54 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena is to submit a proposal to the International Buddhist Seminar-a segment at the 2017 UN Vesak Day celebrations to be held in Sri Lanka- to declare Vesak Day as a fully-fledged UN holiday, Parliamentary reforms and Media Ministry Secretary Nimal Bopage said today.

The 193-member UN General Assembly in 1999 declared an “International Day of Observance for Vesak” on the initiative of the then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

UN Vesak Day celebrations would be held in Sri Lanka on May 12 to 14 this year with the participation of more than 1,000 delegates representing all Buddhist countries around the world, Bopage stated when he visited the Mahanayake of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters at the respective Temples in Kandy.

Respecting the diverse religious affiliations of UN staffers, the General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution in January last year recognising seven new UN “floating holidays”, including Vesak, Orthodox Good Friday, Yom Kippur and Diwali.

According to the resolution, staff members should inform their supervisors in advance, as early in the year as possible, of the floating holiday they wish to observe.( Nadeeka Daya Bandara)

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Comments - 15

1110 Sunday, 08 January 2017 03:04 PM

Madiya Sunday, 08 January 2017 03:54 PM

Sri Lanka has far too many holidays. The world is going through an economic turndown. Leave the world alone and declare the whole as a holiday in Sri Lanka and enjoy.

nick Sunday, 08 January 2017 03:53 PM

already we hold the record for most number of holiday in the world UN will have shock hearing this instead we should find a way to reduce a ways to cut down holidays and increase the countries productivity whoever advice president on this must be same as MR advisors via DM Android App

llengua Sunday, 08 January 2017 04:34 PM

this day is not yet a international holiday students writing for foreign exams have papers on this day even via DM Android App

ANTON Sunday, 08 January 2017 04:41 PM

BEST COMMENT I HAVE EVER SEEN ON THIS TOPIC , THANKS 1110.

Thammbi Sunday, 08 January 2017 06:20 PM

His government batton charges buddhist monks on streets. Do nothing for the continued vandalizing of buddhist shrines in the north east, and then some eye candy!

UN Sunday, 08 January 2017 06:30 PM

SL is exporting holidays to UN ? ;-)

Shan Sunday, 08 January 2017 08:12 PM

Those proposing this day to be holiday, should first understand the Lord Buddha's spirituality and Dharma and live it.

GC Sunday, 08 January 2017 08:27 PM

Ayyo! Please don't take our holiday culture to wider world. Check how many public holidays developed countries have. I think UK have only 8 for a whole year, in addition to the 52 weekends. Sri Lanka: 12 to 13 extra days for full moon poya, if not on weekends, and holidays of 4 religions etc etc.

GC Sunday, 08 January 2017 08:28 PM

Well said. Probably our new industry. Lazy nations will buy them in shiploads.

Pincha Monday, 09 January 2017 12:25 PM

First teach the Buddhist monks to follow the teachings of Lord Buddha.

ranjit demel Monday, 09 January 2017 04:12 PM

idiots

ranjit demel Monday, 09 January 2017 04:14 PM

idiots

ceylon Monday, 09 January 2017 04:34 PM

make it international holiday to drink alcohol and eat chickenbeefmutton and fish that day. via DM Android App

Siri de Alwis Monday, 09 January 2017 06:10 PM

Best is to cancel, at least, 10 Poya Holiidays, except Wesak and Poson.Siri

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SL to urge UN to declare Vesak as full UN holiday

Comments - 15

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