Plans to hold State Vesak Festival on grand scale

Priyanka KURUGALA

The period government has declared as Vesak Week heralds the Buddhist year of 2556.

The government has drawn up plans to hold the State Vesak Festival on a grand scale at the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K A D S Gunawardana said.

The festival will be held under the guidance of the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera, under the the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the participation of Prime Minister D M Jayaratna, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela, ministers and other government officials, he said.

Prime Minister’s office, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, Buddhist Affairs Department, All Ceylon Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya, Central Provincial Council and all state institutions in Kandy will collaborate in organising this event.

The deputy minister was addressing a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office yesterday.

He said around 5,000 schoolchildren will observe Sil on this occasion. A Sri Dalada Pada yathra will also be held. Around 3,000 persons will walk from Doluwa to the Temple of the Tooth Relic to commemorate the arrival of the Sacred Tooth Relic from Kothmale to the Dalada Maligawa.

Around 1,000 monks will also participate in the pada yathra , he said.

Along with this programme 10 groups of winners in the Bakthi Gee Competition will receive awards. These groups had been selected out of 25 participant groups, he said.

The government has organized many programmes to mark the Vesak festival.

Observing of Sil , Dhamma Desana, Budhdha Pooja and alms giving are among the programme. The State Vesak Festival will commence at 3.00pm. In the evening a Vesak lantern and Bhakthi Gee Ceremony will also be held.

All Ceylon Sasanaraksaka Balamandala Vice Chairman-Kandy District Sasanaraksaka Balamandala Registrar Ven Hanguranketa Dhreerananda Thera, Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Chandraprema Gamage and Prime Minister Secretary S Amarasekera also participated.