The 14th United Nations International Day of Vesak will be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
The celebrations will last until May 14. The 2017 UN International Day of Vesak will be celebrated under the theme ‘Buddhist teachings for social justice and sustainable world peace’. The key note speech will be delivered by Emeritus Professor Lewis Lancaster at the opening of the celebrations. The events include an International Buddhist Symposium with the participation of over 400 delegates from 100 countries.
The United Nations International Day of Vesak is celebrated annually in Buddhist countries. This is the first time Sri Lanka has been given the opportunity to host this festival.