Lankans in Iran urged to maintain closer cooperation with mission

S. JAMALDEEN from Tehran

IRAN: Sri Lanka’s envoy in Tehran M.M. Zuhair PC appealed to the Sri Lankan expatriates community in Iran to maintain closer co-operation with the Mission.

Zuhair was speaking at the Bakthi Gee recital organised by the mission to mark the Vesak full moon day at the Chancery in Tehran.

“The Vesak is an important national event in Sri Lanka, he said. It is becoming a significant worldwide after the UN recognition of Vesak as an international cultural event”.

The Ambassador said, was Prince Siddhartha Gauthama, ventured for conquering himself by freeing himself of worldly cravings. He succeeded in this struggle in attaining real freedom.

He followed the eight fold path of righteousness which even after 2,500 years, retain their universal appeal as well as relevance.

He also briefed on the activities launched by the mission to forge more closer ties between Iran and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan expatriates in Iran and the Mission staffers rendered Siri Buddha Gaya Anurada Nagaraya Obey Siripa Pudannam among other devotional songs, with the sequences being well received by the large number of Iranians, Sri Lankans and their families and children.

The Embassy was decorated with Vesak lanterns, Buddhist flags, flowers and illuminated with multi coloured lights.

The mission issued a souvenir containing a message from Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Iran M.M. Zuhair PC to mark the occasion.

It comprised articles on Vesak in Sri Lanka, Who was Buddha Gotama? The Buddhist teaching. Its Aim”, “The Methodology of Buddha’s Teaching” and the Lyrics of the “Bakthi Gee”. The Vesak celebrations culminated with a dinner containing a Sri Lankan culinary.

First Secretary B. Vidyrathna delivered the welcome speech.