Did Sri Lankan Ministers and Cricketers Embrace Yoga for IDY Celebrations?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 100 yoga instructors participated in the event.
- The event took place at Independence Square in Colombo.
- More than 113 Ayurveda hospitals participated in the IDY celebrations.
- The theme for 2025 emphasizes the connection between personal and planetary health.
- This event strengthened traditional healthcare ties between Sri Lanka and India.
Colombo, June 21 (NationPress) On the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), a diverse group of Sri Lankan Ministers, Parliamentarians, cricket legends, cultural figures, and local residents convened at the renowned Independence Square in Colombo to engage in yoga, underscoring its role in fostering a healthy lifestyle.
The event was orchestrated by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, in partnership with Sri Lanka's Health Ministry, and featured over 100 yoga instructors from various parts of the nation, showcasing yoga practices to attendees, including members of the tri-forces, police, students, and yoga practitioners.
Prominent government officials, such as Anil Jayantha and Chrishantha Abeysena, along with Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih and several industry representatives, were present at the gathering.
Additionally, numerous events took place in Galle, Kandy, and Jaffna, facilitated by the diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka.
The theme for 2025, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' highlights the link between individual wellness and the health of our planet, aligning with India's broader vision of global harmony through traditional practices.
Earlier on Thursday, the Department of Ayurveda, under Sri Lanka's Health Ministry, along with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural branch of the Indian High Commission in Colombo, held IDY celebrations throughout the island.
This year marked a historic milestone, as the IDY celebrations were conducted simultaneously in 113 Ayurveda hospitals, including educational and research institutions across all nine provinces of Sri Lanka, along with four universities.
This collaborative effort with SVCC represents the first unified participation of Sri Lanka's entire network of Ayurveda institutions in the IDY.
The SVCC supported the event by providing yoga mats, instructional materials, and specially curated video content to all participating centers.
This nationwide celebration highlighted the increasing global acknowledgment of yoga as an effective tool for enhancing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and reinforced the traditional healthcare connections between Sri Lanka and India.