Hundreds of Buddhists gather to celebrate Vesak Day in a temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death and is observed by devotees in many parts of Asia. Elsewhere in the city colourful lanterns light up the streets to honour Buddha. "This year actually we are having some kind of peaceful environment. So everywhere we see that many people are celebrating Vesak", says Venerable Medagama Nandawansha Tero, a retired professor of Pali and Buddhist Studies. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES