Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera final day

The final day of the annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera will be held tomorrow night. The Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera had its origins in 1927, due largely to efforts of philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helana Wijewardene Lamathani and father of late Upali Wijewardene.

This religious cultural pageant has evolved over the years to a permanent position, as the country's most elaborate and grandest low country pageant in its category. Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, the most sacred temple in the Western Province, since Buddha's sojourn here during his visit to Sri Lanka, celebrates this event annually in the Duruthu Poya during January by conducting a historic, traditional and cultural pageant, the Kelani Perahera. Whilst the Kelani perahera commemorates the religious significance of the Buddha's visit, it also supports and revives Sri Lanka's cultural traditions of drummers, dancers, singers, caparisoned elephants and colourful parades, which have always made this event a night of all nights.

The proceedings of the final pageant will begin at 8.30 pm. There will be over 50 elephants on parade. The perahera will commence with the handing over the Relics Casket to Chief Basnayake Nilame, Dhammika Attygalle by Viharadhipathi, Ven Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangaharakkita Nayaka Thera to be placed on the caparisoned tusker.

There will be a special tourist enclosure for tourists to view the perahera. Rupavahini will have a live coverage of the perahera.