Appeal to have religious ceremonies on May Day

COLOMBO: The Buddhasasana Karya Sadhaka Mandalaya in a memorandum addressed to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has requested to initiate discussions with all political parties to celebrate Vesak Poya this year on a grand scale to mark the conclusion of the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi. The memorandum pointed out that Vesak Poya Day this year falls on May 1 coinciding with May Day which is Workers Day.

Since a majority of people in Sri Lanka were Buddhists Vesak Poya which is their Most Sacred Religious Day should be used to pay homage to their Teacher through Prathipaththi Pooja such as observance of Sil. Therefore normal May Day rallies and ceremonies held this year on May 1 should conform to Prathipaththi Pooja and other religious observances.

This will provide traditional May Day rallies which normally create an atmosphere of tension more respect and meaning.

Such a step would be important when one considered the security situation in the country. If anyone insisted on holding May Day rallies, the traditional way of agitation and slogan shouting, Buddhists would not have objections for assigning another day other than Vesak Poya Day for it.