The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta commemorated the sacred Vesak Festival 2026 under the theme “Abhittaretha Kalyane – Let Us Swiftly Unite for the Common Good” at the Sri Lanka Residence on 6 June 2026, with a series of programmes held throughout the day.

The main events included an almsgiving at noon for 11 Most Venerable monks from Vihara Na Uyana Indonesia and the Ariyasacca Kencana Meditation Centre, West Jakarta, a two-hour meditation programme conducted by Most Venerable Siyambalape Medhankara Thero of Vihara Na Uyana Indonesia, and an evening Vesak celebration.

The meditation programme attracted around 75 Indonesian participants, while approximately 150 guests attended the main evening event. The gathering included Heads of Mission and diplomats from foreign missions based in Jakarta, Indonesian government officials, business leaders and representatives of corporate entities, Indonesian well-wishers, and members of the Sri Lankan community in Indonesia. The sacred relics exposition organized at the venue under the patronage of Vihara Na Uyana Indonesia, which included a relic of the Lord Buddha, attracted considerable interest among the participants.

The Vice Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Giring Ganesha, accompanied by his spouse, attended the event as the Chief Guest. He ceremonially illuminated the rotating lantern, which served as the iconic Vesak decoration at the venue. In his remarks, Vice Minister Giring Ganesha highlighted the contribution of Buddhism to fostering harmony among communities through its noble values, including loving-kindness and mindfulness, drawing from his own experience as a daily meditation practitioner.

Welcoming the participants, the Ambassador-designate Sashikala Premawardhane emphasized Sri Lanka’s historic role in preserving and promoting Theravada Buddhism. She also referred to the significant contribution made by the late former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, together with representatives of other Buddhist countries, in designating the International Day of Vesak in 1999.

The programme featured devotional songs performed by members of the Association of Sri Lankans in Indonesia and the staff of the Embassy. In addition, the audience listened to a brief Dhamma sermon delivered by Most Venerable Siyambalape Medhankara Thero. Following the chanting of Pirith by a group of monks from Vihara Na Uyana Indonesia in Medan, participants were invited to float candles in the pool as a symbolic act of reflection and blessing.

Several dansals offering traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, including hoppers and kottu, were organized within the premises for visitors. Guests also enjoyed traditional Vesak decorations and an exhibition showcasing the Solosmasthana, the sixteen sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka.

The event provided an opportunity to celebrate Vesak in a spirit of spiritual reflection, cultural appreciation, and friendship, while further strengthening the longstanding cultural and religious ties between Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Jakarta

11 June 2026