Colombo, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka has been plagued by fighting between the largely Buddhist Sinhalese populations settled mostly in the West, and the Tamil, largely Hindu population in the Northeast, many of them wanting independence from the Sinhalese.

But for the inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation, all was peaceful and calm. An excellent team was at work preparing for the inaugural event including Mr. Thilairajan, Dr. Robert Kittel, and Rev. John Gehring from New York, Ambassador D.L. Mendis, Japanese and Nepalese volunteers, and Ambassadors for Peace.

A dance performance by the Musaeus College was a treat to the audience. The teacher and some of their students had performed at the World Culture and Sports Festival in Korea.

The main program speakers included Dr. Baptist Croos, who cited the well-known teaching of Confucius that if we have righteousness in character, we have harmony in the family, and if we have harmony in the family, we have peace in the nation, and if we have peace in the nation, there will peace on heaven and earth.

Ven. Dr. Kotte Pannindria Thero spoke of important Buddhist virtues that essential to peace. Then Hon. Loku Bandara, Ambassador for Peace and Speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament, welcomed Dr. Sun Myung Moon and the UPF to Sri Lanka.

Welcome Proclamation

Sri Lankan Welcome Table

Ambassador Mendis gave a very thoughtful presentation about the significance of the event being a turning point for the nation, bringing a timely message of UN reform, the strengthening of the family, and the need for interreligious harmony. With this introduction, Father Moon's peace message was received with great interest.

The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.

To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
To download a report booklet of the UPF Founders' 2005 World Peace Tour, click here.