Buddha statue unveiled outside Chancery building of SL High Commission in Kenya

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Nairobi, Kenya, has installed a statue of Lord Buddha outside the premises of the Chancery building. This was the first time that a Buddha statue has been erected in a public place in Kenya.

LOLC Chairman Ishara Nanayakkara and High Commissioner Veluppillai Kananathan unveiled the statue at the auspicious time on July 14 in the presence of members of Sri Lanka community in Nairobi. Religious observances including chanting of Gatha, Buddha Pooja and worship were conducted during this event.

“I welcome all of you to the unveiling of the statue of Lord Gautama Buddha. It is a unique occasion as for the first time a Buddha statue has been installed in a public place in Kenya. It also turns a new leaf in our bilateral relations to demonstrate our Buddhist heritage in Kenya. I take pride to represent Sri Lanka in Kenya and feel blessed to have the installation of Buddha Statue in front of the High Commission premises. I take this opportunity to thank Chairman of LOLC Ishara Nanayakkara for readily agreeing to attend the event”, High Commissioner Kananathan said.

The High Commissioner said the installation of the Buddha Statue was done with the full support and patronage of the Kenyan government authorities.

“It paved the way to demonstrate our Buddhist heritage in Kenya. The public display of the Buddha statue would constantly remind our minds of Lord Buddha’s noble teachings of peace and harmony which was needed in all communities, countries and the world”, he noted.

He further said that Lord Buddha’s eternal message of peace and compassion continued to inspire humanity around the world and quoted the Buddha who said “he who experiences the unity of life sees his own self in all beings, and all beings in his own self, with an impartial eye”.

The construction of the shrine was constructed by a renowned Kenyan Sri Lankan Company Mayleen Group.

Members of the Sri Lankan community in Kenya and Kenyan friends of Sri Lanka attended the event.