Amadahara Vesak Zone from today

COLOMBO: The Amadahara Vesak Sadaham Kalapaya (Vesak Zone) organised by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (Lake House) and sponsored by Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd will be opened opposite Lake House at 6.00 p.m. today.

Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa will be the chief guest. Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abewardana and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana will be the chief guests on May 20 and 21.

The Lake House main roundabout will be decorated with Buddhist flags and the area will be illuminated during the period. D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha and York Street will also be illuminated. Several other instititions located near Lake House are collobarating to make this event a success.

ITN and Lakhanda Radio will have studios near Lake House to relay the programmes 'live'. A number of voluntary organisations, Buddhist societies and Buddhist temples including the Sambuddhaloka Vihjaraya in Fort have extended their cooperation to make the event a success.

The Lake House Buddhist Society will conduct the 19th annual Vesak Lantern Competition opposite the ANCL premises.

Around 75 competitors from various parts of the country will display lanterns, made of local raw material.

Meanwhile, various Buddhist organisations have made arrangements to exhibit mega Vesak lanterns and pandals, and also to conduct Bakthi Gee (Devotional songs) programmes and stage dramas during the Vesak season.