The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, will jointly dedicate to the people of Sri Lanka, the newly renovated Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna, tomorrow morning. President Sirisena will be present at the stadium in Jaffna, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join the event through video-conferencing from New Delhi.
The Duraiappah Stadium, named in honour of a former Mayor of Jaffna, the late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah, has been renovated by the Government of India at a cost of over Rs. 7 crore.
The renovated stadium has a seating capacity of 1850. It will provide the necessary infrastructure to promote sports and recreational activities, and assist the overall development of the youth of the Northern Province in Sri Lanka.
The stadium has been in disuse since 1997.
Prime Minister Modi and President Sirisena will also witness the first major event at the renovated stadium, which is a celebration of the second International Day of Yoga. Over 8000 people are expected to participate in the Yoga Demonstration.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today extended his best wishes to all citizens on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. Highlighting a strong commitment towards realising the ideals of Lord Buddha, the Prime Minister hoped that his thoughts would deepen the spirit of joy and togetherness in society. He further urged everyone to reiterate the resolve to adopt the life values of Lord Buddha on this sacred occasion that inspires walking on the path of peace, compassion, and goodwill.
Sharing a Sanskrit Subhashitam, the Prime Minister noted that according to Gautama Buddha, when a person understands that there is no permanent self-existing entity either within or outside and follows the Eightfold Path, right view, right intention and right conduct, then they become free from suffering and attain supreme peace.
In a series of posts on X, the Prime Minister wrote:
"Best wishes on Buddha Purnima. Our commitment towards realising the ideals of Lord Buddha is very strong. May his thoughts deepen the spirit of joy and togetherness in our society."
Best wishes on Buddha Purnima. Our commitment towards realising the ideals of Lord Buddha is very strong. May his thoughts deepen the spirit of joy and togetherness in our society. pic.twitter.com/pRdmrJaEcN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2026
"सभी देशवासियों को बुद्ध पूर्णिमा की असीम शुभकामनाएं। शांति, करुणा और सद्भावना के मार्ग पर चलने की प्रेरणा देने वाले इस पावन अवसर पर आइए, भगवान बुद्ध के जीवन मूल्यों को अपनाने का संकल्प दोहराएं।
नान्तर्बहिश्च लोकेषु त्वात्मानं दृष्टवान् क्वचित्।
आष्टाङ्गिकेन मार्गेण परमां शान्तिमाययौ॥"
According to Gautama Buddha, when a person understands that there is no permanent self-existing entity either within or outside and follows the Eightfold Path-right view, right intention and right conduct-then they become free from suffering and attain supreme peace.
सभी देशवासियों को बुद्ध पूर्णिमा की असीम शुभकामनाएं। शांति, करुणा और सद्भावना के मार्ग पर चलने की प्रेरणा देने वाले इस पावन अवसर पर आइए, भगवान बुद्ध के जीवन मूल्यों को अपनाने का संकल्प दोहराएं।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2026
नान्तर्बहिश्च लोकेषु त्वात्मानं दृष्टवान् क्वचित्।
आष्टाङ्गिकेन मार्गेण परमां… pic.twitter.com/DrTeabrw93


