June 18, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Poson day message said that Sri Lankan people commemorate today the beginnings of a new society and culture with the advent of Buddhism in the county as preached by the Arahat Mahinda, who arrived here in the 236th year after the parinibbana of the Buddha.

The full message as follows:

Sri Lanka achieved excellence among nations by following the new Buddhist path as shown by the Arahat, which saw close links between the state and the Buddhist Order, with safeguarding the Sasana being considered the prime duty of the state. Today, this tradition is honoured in our Constitution. Accordingly, my government has taken many measures to safeguard and nurture the Buddha Sasana in keeping with the counsel of the Maha Sangha.

As Buddhism shows the means to end suffering, protection of the Buddha Sasana benefits all living beings and shows the way to coexistence. Recognizing the importance of a religious environment in society, I believe that the best service to human society is making collective efforts at social welfare that eschews all divisions. Moved by this belief my government has initiated several projects to prevent social degradation and build a society imbued with religious fervour, offering comfort to all.

Among these are the measures taken for a religious and social renaissance in the country to mark the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi anniversary in the year 2011. Our objective here is to bequeath to future generations a principled society where the observance of the Five Noble Precepts will have the understanding of all.

On this Poson Full Moon Day I appeal to all Sri Lankan people to come forward to celebrate the 2600th Sambuddha Jayanthi, and help bring about a further social transformation in keeping with the teachings brought to us by the Arahat Mahinda on the first Poson Day.