Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Esala Maha Sisu Perahera:

Over 12,000 students participate

The Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Esala Maha Sisu Perahera was held in Colombo on Thursday under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Bandula Gunawardena, Dinesh Gunawardena, MP JRP Sooriyapperuma and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga were also present. Over 500 Buddhist monks chanting the Dhamma Chakkapawaththana Sutra joined the perahera at Isipathana College.

The perahera had been organised to mark the 2600th year of the delivering of the Buddha's first Dhamma sermon the Dhamma Chakkapawaththana Sutra to the five prelates.

The perahera organized with the blessings of the Maha Sangha on the guidance of Colombo Buddhist Cultural Centre's Director Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Nayaka Thera had received the cooperation from the Religious Unit of the President office the Prime Ministers Religious Unit at the Parliamentary Staff Buddhist Society.

The perahera commenced at the Lumbini College, Colombo premises with the participation of more tan 12,000 students from about 350 government schools and paraded the streets along Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mawatha and to the Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mandiraya.

The aim of the holding of this perahera was to paving the way for the schoolchildren to pave the way for the schoolchildren to exhibit their talents while inculcating the importance of the country's cultural activities in them.

The perahera had many cultural features including up-country and low-country dances performed by the schoolchildren.

The Education Ministry presented prizes to the best artistes in the perahera.

School Principals, teachers and parents also graced the occasion.