BoC programmes for Amadahara

Anjana Gamage

COLOMBO: Bank of Ceylon (BoC), a main participant at the Amadahara Vesak Zone in Fort has organised several programmes to mark the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi.

The BoC Headquarters will be illuminated with bulbs depicting the colours of the Buddhist flag while other BoC branches will be decorated with Buddhist flags and bulbs during the Vesak season. Over 50 lanterns will also be displayed at the BoC headquarters.

A sil programme will be held on Vesak Poya Day from 6 a.m. to 5.00 p.m under the patronage of renowned Theras and the BoC expects over 2,000 at this special sil programme where food and other facilities will be provided by the bank.

A mobile Bhakthi Gee team comprising BoC employees will conduct Bhakthi Gee at the BoC headquarters on May 12 at 6 p.m. They will visit the Presidential Secretariat at 7.30 p.m. and then to the Parliament to conduct the Bhakthi Gee programme.

A special Dhamma sermon by Ven. Ketawala Hemaloka Thera, Chief incumbent of the Sri Sudarshana Dharma Nikethanaya in Yakkala , Werallawatte will be held at the BoC branch in York Street today.

Meanwhile, a special Dhamma sermon by Ven. Morawaka Soratha Thera, chief incumbent of the Nagarukkarama Purana Viharaya in Kelaniya, Wevelduwa will be held at the BoC headquarters international branch tomorrow.

A special website of the Buddhist Association of the BoC and low priced pilgrim tours to Dambadiva, India, specially for BoC members and their family members will also be launched to mark the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi.

The Amadahara Vesak Zone this year too will cover a large area centred on the Lake House building at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo.

The Zone will cover a vast area in Colombo including Sri Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, Gamini Hall, Colombo Port, Galle Face, Fort Railway Station and Technical Junction.

A large number of State and private sector institutions in the area have already extended their fullest cooperation to ANCL to conduct this year's Amadahara Vesak celebrations on a grand scale from May 12 to 14. The Zone will bathed in bright illuminations and colourful Vesak decorations in addition to the dansal and Bhakti Gee recitals.

Orange Electric will be the main sponsor of Amadahara for the third consecutive year. ANCL will conduct its usual Vesak programme including Vesak Lantern Competitions and the Bhakti Gee recital with attractive cash prizes offered to Vesak lantern competition winners. The winner will receive a cash prize of Rs. 150,000 and the second Rs. 100,000.

A cash prize of Rs. 75,000 will be offered for the third place. The fourth prize is Rs. 50,000 and the fifth prize is Rs. 25,000. Winners from place six to 10th place will also be offered Rs. 10,000 each. The Bhakthi Gee recital will be held on a specially constructed platform opposite the Regal Cinema while three stage plays with Buddhist themes will also be staged during the three days at the same location.

Five roads - D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Chiththampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Olcott Mawatha, Chatham Street and Galle road up to Galle Face roundabout within the zone will be illuminated during the three days of the festival.

Arrangements will be made to illuminate the Bo tree and the Vesak Thorana at Keselwatta by the Eksath Bodhiraja Samithiya. The Cey-Nor Foundation will conduct a rice dansala on May 12 opposite their building at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha.

The police and the Press Club will conduct a dansala in front of the Fort Police. A Dhamma Deshana by Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda will be held today at the Colombo Magistrate Courts premises, organised by the Magistrate Court's Lawyers Association.

A pirith recital will be held on May 11 in line with the Dharma Desana. The Ingrin institute will conduct Bhakthi Gee programmes along with ANCL.