All set for Sri Dalada Esala Perahera - Diyawadana Nilame

Wijitha Nakkawita

The Sri Dalada Esala Perahera is the most hallowed national religious festival that had been preserved for several centuries and its sanctity has to be preserved though times had changed. The perahera will start early next month and all steps have been taken by the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Maha Sangha to hold it in all its grandeur, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela said.

Hosting a special media meeting at the meeting hall of the Dalada Maligawa, Saturday he said special care should be taken by commentators of the electronic media to use the correct terms describing the perahera. The terms of usage will be made available to the media so that the ancient traditional usage would be continued.

Though an unprecedented number of pilgrims, local and foreign tourists were expected to witness the perahera it was very important for the media to remember that millions of people including schoolchildren and even people in other countries would be turning to the media to gain a knowledge about this historic festival. Therefore descriptions of the perahera and commentaries should be done with due attention to the traditions that had been brought down for centuries, he said.

The Diyawadana Nilame said very large amount of funds had to be spent till the conclusion of the festival especially as the old Rajakariya system of supply of goods and services cannot be done today. Therefore, funds for goods and services were needed for the perahera. Some of the public sector institutions as well as private institutions were assisting in this area and this year too it will be held with the grandeur and traditional customs associated with it, he also said.

He appealed to the media to ensure that reporting and commentaries were done with utmost responsibility.