National Carrier shares spirit of Vesak

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

SriLankan Airlines, the National carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the reputed oneworld alliance, commemorated Vasak at its home base, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Colombo recently.

The Srilankan Airlines’ Vesak message to the world from the Karaniya Metta Sutta is “Radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.” Symbolizing the generosity of Sri Lankan community through ‘dansal’, passengers departing, arriving and transiting through the Bandaranaike International airport were treated to refreshments in commemoration of Vesak.

SriLankan Airlines’ General Manager Marketing, Mr. Saminda Perera said, “Cultural spectacles of Sri Lanka signify the inherent values such as unity, generosity and compassion. By commemorating events of national importance, we want to remind the world that Sri Lanka is a friendly place where unity and harmony among all communities make every festival vibrant and unique.” A choir comprising staff volunteers ranging from aircraft engineers, pilots, cabin crew, ground handling, security, aircraft interior services and corporate offices sang ‘Bhakthi Gee,’ traditional devotional songs, sung during Vesak.

Sri Lanka’s famous musicians, Keerthi Pasquel and Mr. Dayan Witharana, volunteered to perform Bhakthi Gee along with SriLankan Airlines staff to entertain passengers on arrival, departure and transit at BIA. Mr. Pasquel used his expertise as a performing artist to train the Bhakthi Gee choir, which is an effort put forward by the performing arts club of SriLankan Airlines ‘Pulse’, in an endeavour to promote in-house talent.