Mihintale Aloka Pooja begins

Chamikara Weerasinghe and Nimal Wijesinghe

MIHINTALE: Mihintale, the birth place of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, gleamed with thousands of electric bulbs with the commencement of the Mihintale Aloka Pooja conducted by Lake House in collaboration with the Ceylon Electricity Board yesterday. The programme is sponsored by Abans Ltd.

The 450 acre sacred area was illuminated glorifying the festival of Poson in Anuradhapura, to commemorate the arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera with a delegation of Buddhist monks from India.

The illumination of Mihintale will take place for three consecutive days until July 1.

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champaka Ranawaka inaugurated yesterday’s illumination.

The minister handed over a pair of elephant tusks to the Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara, Ven. Namalwewa Rathanasara Thera on this occasion.

Minister Ranawaka said it was the duty of the people to seriously consider the importance of Arahat Mahinda’s vision and the loving kindness he established in the minds of the people.

Among the present on this occasion were District Secretary Anuradhapura H.M.K. Herath, Director General of the Wildlife Department Ananda Weerasooriya, Divisional Secretary Mihintale Manjula Madahapola, General Manager, Lake House Abaya Amaradasa, Directors Rasanga Harischandra and Chaminda Priyasantha and CEB Chairman Udaya Sri Kariyawasam.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Nelson Perera, Editor, Budusarana.