Vesak Day 2025 Celebrated in South Africa

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria organised a Vesak Day celebration on its premises on 11 May 2025. This year’s event was organised as a multireligious observance, bringing together followers of Buddhism, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Islam. The celebration was attended by diplomats, members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community, as well as South Africans from Johannesburg, Pretoria, and nearby areas, reflecting the spirit of unity and cultural harmony.

The religious programme featured the participation of Venerable Wachirasakdi Vuddhijayo, Venerable Thanesd Phuachokchai, and Venerable Issarapap Kiatchutrakul from the Johannesburg Buddhist Meditation Centre in Midrand. Monsignor Dario Pavisa, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in Pretoria, led the Catholic prayer, while Guru Ratnasabapathy Vengatraman of the Adhi Ligneshwarar Temple in Benoni conducted a ‘Ganapathy Puja’ for the Hindu community.

All religious leaders and devotees came together for a symbolic offering of flowers, candles, fruits, and other items to the sacred statues of their respective faiths, demonstrati

ng interfaith respect, peaceful coexistence, and spiritual unity.

This year’s celebration also marked the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Day of Vesak, corresponding to Buddhist Era 2569. During the observance, prayers were offered in remembrance of the victims of the tragic ‘Gerandi Ella’ bus accident in Sri Lanka, which claimed 23 lives on the same day, 11 May 2025. Blessings were also extended for the speedy recovery of those who were injured in the incident.

Following the religious observances, participants joined in the lighting of traditional Vesak lanterns and oil lamps, symbolically illuminating the evening with hope, compassion, and collective remembrance.

High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria

13 May 2025