'Pichcha mal pooja' for 17th time

ANURADHAPURA: The annual Anuradhapura Pichcha Mal Pooja, will he held for the 17th time today organised by the Shanthi Padanama at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya.

Jathika Hela Urumaya MP Ven. Kotapola Amarakiththi Thera told a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat that the Government will fully sponsor the event this time.

"The event originated with the participation of only 150 people at first, but now it sees the participation of at least 1.5 million. Thus it became difficult for the Shanthi Padanama alone to provide facilities and President Mahinda Rajapaksa decided to support this event," Ven. Amarakiththi Thera said.

The Ven. Thera also pointed out that the objective of this event is to raise the spirituality of the people and inculcate kindness, wisdom and faith to build the nation.

Special transportation will be provided to participants today which will include special train and bus services.

The armed forces and the police will provide security.

"Participants should be dressed in white and they will be allowed to bring only vegetarian food. Fifty two organisations have already signed up to provide food and drinking water. There will be a first aid unit and a 'centre for the missing' opposite the Ruwanweliseya," the Thera said.

The Thera also requested participants not to use polythene and litter the surroundings of this sacred place.

Participants were also told to bathe only in the Basawakkulama tank.