Culture

Due to Portuguese colonial influence, Sri Lanka has had some affinities with Brazil, e.g. the Catholic Church and the influence the Portuguese had on language and culture particularly on music and Sri Lankan cuisine.

Establishment of the Rio Buddha-vihara by the Brazil Buddhist Society (Sociedade Budista do Brasil) which was officially founded in 1967, by members of the Theosophical Society of Brazil (TSB) to bring into knowledge all the Buddhist Schools and the culture of Buddhist countries in the world, was an significant millstone of Sri Lanka´s relations with Brazil in the context of cultural and historical similarities between the two countries under the Portuguese heritage as well as historical links associated with the Theravada Buddhism. The Theosophical Society of Brazil (TSB) is determined to promote philosophical principles of Colonel Henry Steel Olcott who is well known in Sri Lanka for his immense contribution to the independence movement of the country and the Theravada Buddhist tradition during the British colonial period in Ceylon.

Over the years the Rio Buddhavihara had hosted a number of Sri Lankan Buddhist monks who practiced Theravada Buddhism including Venerable Bhikkhu Anuruddha Thera and Ven. Piyadassi Maha Thera (1967-1972), Venerable Bhikkhu Shanti Bhadra Thera (1975-1977), Venerable Dr. Puhulwella Vipassi Nayaka Thero (1986-2006). However, with the passing away of Dr. Puhulwella Vipassi Nayaka Thero on 26^th October 2006 at the City Hospital in Birmingham, London after a brief illness, replacement of a learned Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka for Ven Vipasi Nayaka Theoro has not taken place.

• Annual Vesak Day celebrations at Shin Buddhist Pure Land Temple

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brasília, Brazil, celebrated its annual Vesak Day celebrations under the patronage of Reverent Sato, Chief Incumbent of the Temple Shin Buddhist Pure Land, in Brasília on 18^th May 2019. The celebratory event was officiated with the sounding of the temple bell by visiting dignitaries that included Ambassadors of Thailand, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, Bishop Don Lenardo Steiner from National conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), Pastor Wellinton Pereira, Representative of CONIQ (National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil) and Representative of Governor of Brasilia

• The 46th cultural fair at Shin Buddhist Temple of Brasilia

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brasília, Brazil participated at the 46^th edition of the cultural fair of the Shin Buddhist Temple (Templo Shin Budista) of Brasilia, from 31^st August to 1^st September 2019, at the Shin Buddhist Temple of Brasilia, for the second consecutive year. The Chief Incumbent of the temple, the Reverend Sato and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Brazil Musthafa Jaffeer inaugurated the event on 31^st August 2019 with the beating of the traditional bell, which was followed by a brief religious ceremony.

• Asia-Oceania Group of Ambassadors’ Luncheon Meeting

Ambassador Musthafa Mohamed Jaffeer of Sri Lanka in Brazil hosted the monthly luncheon meeting of the Asia-Oceania Group of Ambassadors in Brasília on 5^th November 2019 at Grand Mercure Brasília Eixo Monumental. The group luncheon meeting was attended by the Ambassadors of Australia, Bangladesh, East Timor, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam and Singapore (CDA), and the representatives of Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and the Philippines. As a part of the meeting, Mr. Roberto Castelo Branco, National Secretary of International Relations of the Ministry of Environment of Brazil delivered an interactive speech under the theme of “A vision for the development of the environment in Brazil”.

• Gastronomic Festival 2019 of AOLA Group

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil took part  at Festival Gastronômico do Grupo AOLA 2019 (gastronomic festival), organized by the Asia-Oceania Ladies Association (AOLA) held on 21 September 2019 at Clube das Nações in Brasília. The AOLA, is an informal group of spouses of ambassadors and the diplomatic corps based in Brasília, that represents the countries in Asia and Oceania region. The embassies that participated at the Gastronomic Festival included  Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore.  The participants, at the event, offered wide variety of handicrafts and culinary dishes unique to the region from their respective countries to discerning visitors.

• Independence Day Celebrations: 04th February 2020

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brasília, Brazil celebrated the 72^nd anniversary of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka on 04 February 2020 at the Embassy premises. The event attended by the Embassy staff and the family members. The Embassy also hosted a reception, later in the evening, at Porto Vittoria, Asa Sul to celebrate the national day along with the 60^th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations that Sri Lanka and Brazil in 2020.

• Independence Day Celebrations: 04th February 2021

The 73rd Anniversary of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka was ceremonially celebrated at the Chancery premises of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil on 4th February 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event was limited to the Mission staff and their family members.