Kotte Dalada Perahera from August 17

Dayaka Sabha of the ancient Sri Jayawardanapura - Kotte Raja Maha Viharaya, the headquarters of Kotte Sri Kalyani Sama Sri Dharama Sangha Sabha will conduct the annual Sri Dalada Perahera of the temple for the 109th occasion from August 17 to 29 with the State patronage.

As the Patron of the Rajamaha Viharaya Sri Dalada Perahera Committee, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to participate at the initiation stage of the Sri Dalada Perahera on August 29.

Arrangements have been made by the Perahera Committee to commence the Perahera festival with the setting up of Kap on August 19 and end the festival with the water cutting ceremony on August 30. A special discussion regarding the Perahera festival was held recently at Sri Jayawardanapura-Kotte Sri Raja Maha Viharaya.

The unanimous decision taken by the Raja Maha Viharaya Dayaka Sabha chaired by the Viharadhipathi Thera to appoint Kotte, Sri Lanka Freedom Party Chief Organiser, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama as a patron of 2009 Kotte Sri Dalada Perahera Committee was announced at this discussion. Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said action will be taken to repair highways before the commencement of the Perahera festival and added that steps will be taken through Kotte Municipal Council to effect road-side decorations on perahera days.

Making an Anusasana Kotte Sri Naga Viharadhipathi Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera pointed out that there is a tendency for schoolchildren as well as other devotees to visit ancient temples and other places of historical importance in the ancient city of Kotte.

In the morning, on Sunday August 30, when the water cutting for the Perahera is due to be conducted the rituals regarding the offering of Devadana, will be attended to by the devotees in the area, including the Kotte-Sri Parakumba Pirivena Dayake Sahba. On this day the Perahera will enter the temple premises in the evening and the festivities will come to an end after attending to the rituals including the offering of Devadana by Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya Dayaka Sahba. Further an exposition of relics will be organized at the Relic Room of the Viharaya from Wednesday, August 26.