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Jaffna-Katargama Pada Yatra to begin on Vesak Poya day

The annual Pada Yatra foot pilgrimage from Jaffna to Kataragama is due to begin on Vesak Poya Day this year. Nearly 10,000 devotees belonging to all communities joined the pilgrimage last year and more are expected to participate in the event this year due to the peaceful environment in the country said the organisers in a statement issued yesterday.

The statement added that this traditional event is not an organised peace march or a political rally. Nor is it a sponsored group of people animating the uninitiated. It is a spontaneous procession of the meek who represent the village voice of Sri Lanka.

Articulating the village voice is an urgent need when we as a society are targeted for global media scrutiny today.

The statement further said the Pada Yatra is in keeping with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity which stipulates the protection of those embodying traditional life styles under its article 8 (J).

The statement further said we invited pilgrims of all faiths to join us in 1988 when we restored the Pada Yatra tradition after a five year break caused by the ethnic disturbances. We warned Sri Lanka of the consequences of divisive politics and pointed out that real self rule meant conquest over ones self and not over another. This pilgrimage is an opportunity to share and listen to the wisdom of centuries where Sri Lanka had been the land of experts on conflict resolution".

So at the dawn of Vesak pilgrims of all races and religious will start off from Jaffna pausing at places that will not offer them luxury but basic shelter. They will be joined by others on the way for the 45 day trek before reaching Kataragama. The main purpose of this campaign is to bring in peace to the country which has a lovely blend of humans through a simple and modest custom.

Foreign Affairs Minister Tyronne Fernando, the Galadari Hotel and Lanka Bell have assisted the organisers in launching this Pada Yatra campaign this year.

More information recording the Pada Yatra could be obtained by visiting the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devale website www.kataragama.org. the statement added.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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