ANCL launches special Vesak publications

Chamikara Weerasinghe

COLOMBO: The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. ceremonially launched its special Vesak editions, Dinamina Vesak Kalapaya and the Daily News Vesak Annual at the Sri Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, Colombo yesterday.

The launching was announced by handing over the copies of the two editions to the Venerable Mahasangha including Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera, Chancellor of the Kelaniya University, and Ven. Prof. Dhammavihari Thera, who presided at the ceremony with other members of the Sangha.

The Editor of the Daily News Vesak Annual, "Buddha Pradeepa" Malini Govinnage, and the Editor of Dinamina Vesak Kalapaya, Ranjith Abeywickrema presented the copies. Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the Chairman of Lakhanda and ITN Anura Siriwardena, officials of the Orange Electricals, the Chairman of Lake House Sunil Jayasekera, and Director Editorial Karu Paranavithana were among those present on the occasion.

Ven. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma thera commending Lake House for publishing the two Vesak souvenirs, said that the company had set an example by publishing the two Vesak souvenirs signifying the importance of preserving the country's Buddhist traditions and culture as the premier newspaper publisher in the country. Ven. Kusaladhamma thera said that it is apparent that the country's media was largely responsible for the deterioration of moral values in society today.

"However, the media can reverse this trend for the better by acting responsibly by promoting good practices that we have inherited from a proud history that is influenced by the Buddha's teaching," he said. "We had a past where our forefathers would not go to their paddy fields to till the soil on Poya days because it might kill worms. This was because they had a sense of shame and fear for taking the life of any creature," he said.

He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had made necessary arrangements to mark the Buddha Jayanthi with a vision to create a society that has been instilled with the sense of shame and fear for violating the panchasheela.