Kandy Perahera ends today
 

by L.B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

The historic annual religious and cultural pageant, the Kandy Esala Perahera, which created a hive of festivity in Kandy during the past two weeks, will end with the traditional water cutting (clearing of water) ceremony at Mahaweli Ganga at Getambe followed by the Day Perahera this afternoon.

At the conclusion of the Day Perahera the temple chieftains headed by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara will call on President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga at the President's Pavilion, Kandy and report to her in keeping with age-old traditions that this year's Kandy Esala Perahera was conducted and concluded successfully.

Basnayake Nilames of four Devales R.M. Navaratne, Mohan Panabokke, Ranjith Ellegala and Rohan Paranagama and the Basnayake Nilames of Rural Davales will accompany the Diyawadana Nilame.

At this ceremony President Kumaratunga will distribute prizes and certificates to Perahera artistes for their performances in the perahera.

The grand finale of this festival was held last night with all the traditional customs. Millions of people from all parts of the country witnessed the festival over the last 14 days. More than 100 elephants and 2,000 artistes participated in the perahera. No major incidents were reported during this year's Perahera festival. Police intensified security in and around Kandy during the perahera period.