Sambuddhathva Jayanthi:

Vesak Zone declared

Priyanka KURUGALA

The Colombo District Secretariat Office plans to launch a series of Buddhist programmes to mark the 2,600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi.

Colombo District Secretary S Hapuarchchi said that to mark the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi, the area from Gangaramaya to Temple Trees has been declared a Vesak Zone.

A Bhakthi Gee ceremony with the participation of members of all Provincial Council offices in this region will be held.

There are 13 Provincial Secretary offices in the Colombo District. Participants will be awarded a certificate.

Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, the Thimbirigasyaya and Colombo Provincial Secretary Offices have jointly organized a Pindapatha Perahera on May 14.

A new Budu Mandira will also be constructed at the Colombo District Secretariat Office.

Sacred Buddha Relics arrive from Pakistan today

The Buddha Relics gifted to Sri Lanka from the Gandhara region in Pakistan to mark the 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi as a result of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's official visit to Pakistan will be brought down to Sri Lanka today.

Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa will receive the Sacred Relics at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake after which the Sacred Relics will be conveyed in a special motorcade to the Vidyodaya Pirivena Viharaya, Maligakanda.

A press release by the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry said a public exposition of the Sacred Relics will be held at the Vidyodaya Pirivena from May 17 to 19.

On May 20, the Relics will be taken to all parts of the country for public veneration and thereafter taken to Anuradhapura on Poson Poya Day for public exposition.