The 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated with great enthusiasm on 21 June 2026 at the historic Independence Square in Colombo. The event was organised by the High Commission of India and its cultural arm, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government of Sri Lanka. This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” underscored the message that wellness has no age limit, emphasizing yoga’s vital role in promoting mobility, strength, mental well-being, and independence at every stage of life.
The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha, joined the celebrations along with distinguished guests including Hon. Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Minister of Science and Technology; Hon. Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Hon. Pradeep Sundaralingam, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure; Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Members of Parliament, officials of Tri Forces, Sri Lanka Police, Yoga Institutions and other senior dignitaries.
The event began with a spiritual invocation through prayers by the Parama Dhamma Chethiya Pirivena and Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shasthri ji, who offered blessings for peace and well-being. A dynamic and refreshing yoga and meditation session followed, conducted by experts from renowned yoga institutions in India and Sri Lanka. The event brought together thousands of yoga enthusiasts, dignitaries, and students in a shared spirit of wellness and unity. Complementing the main event in Colombo, the Consulates in Hambantota and Jaffna, along with the Assistant High Commission in Kandy, also organized special events to mark the occasion, reflecting the widespread and enthusiastic participation in the 12th International Day of Yoga across Sri Lanka.
Serving as a prelude to the main event, the Department of Ayurveda, Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), organised a landmark island-wide event on 18 June 2026. For the second consecutive year, simultaneous yoga sessions were conducted across Ayurveda hospitals throughout Sri Lanka, with 112 hospitals participating in this year’s initiative.
An AYUSH Information Kiosk was also set up at the venue, providing visitors with valuable information on India’s traditional systems of medicine and holistic wellness. A team of medical professionals from Siddhalepa Ayurveda offered free consultations and interacted with participants, creating greater awareness of holistic healthcare practices and the therapeutic benefits of Ayurveda.
As part of the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations, the High Commission of India in Colombo supported and facilitated around 55 yoga events in Colombo in collaboration with Government institutions, universities, professional bodies, schools, and civil society organizations. Among the major events were programmes held at the Institute of National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, Colombo Municipal Council and the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, among several others. These events witnessed enthusiastic participation from yoga practitioners, students, professionals, and the public, further strengthening the message of health, harmony, and holistic well-being.
It may be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution piloted by India in 2014, proclaiming June 21 each year as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution was supported by more than 170 countries, with Sri Lanka being one of its proud co-sponsors.
