The International Day of Vesak was observed at the United Nations Office in Vienna at a ceremony co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka and the Permanent Mission of Thailand to the UN and International Organizations in Vienna, on 07 May 2026.

The ceremony commenced with welcome remarks by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Thailand, Pattarat Hongtong. The message of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, for the Day of Vesak was read by the Deputy Director General, Chhaya Kapilashrami, representing the Actg. Executive Director of the UN Office in Vienna, following which the Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka, Mahesh Gunawardana, made his remarks.

During his remarks, the Charge d’ Affaires extended sincere appreciation to the Embassy and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand in Vienna for hosting the event this year with the assistance of the Embassy and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Vienna. The Charge d’ Affaires recalled that, under the visionary leadership of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar,  at the 54th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1999, took the initiative to commemorate the international recognition of the Day of Vesak at the United Nations. He also highlighted that Vesak is celebrated in Sri Lanka as both a religious and cultural festival on the full moon of the month of Vesak, lasting about one week and through the Vesak Celebrations annually, the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, equality and forgiveness continue to reflect and positively impact many throughout the ages.

Religious observance and a talk on mindfulness followed by a practical meditation session was conducted by the Chief Incumbent of the Nyanaponika Dhamma Centre in Vienna, Venerable Vijayarajapura Seelawansa Thero. The video presentation of the Dharma talk on “Cultivating Inner Peace in a Turbulent World; The Art of Wise Compassion in Global Diplomacy,” delivered by the Most Venerable Phra Phrompacharayanmuni, was screened.

The event ended with a buffet lunch co-organized by the Sri Lanka and Thailand Missions for those who attended, including the Ambassadors and UN officials based in Vienna.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Vienna, Austria.

25 May 2026