Jaffna glitters for Vesak

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The people of Jaffna celebrated Vesak in harmony with the spirit of the Buddha’s teachings without any distinction of caste, creed, colour or religion, Jaffna Government Agent Emelda Sukumar said yesterday.

“ People celebrated Vesak for four days from May 5. Vesak decorations in Jaffna town made it a real festival of light with colourful lanterns and pandals,” she said.

“Members of the Security Forces and the Police in the town had dansalas throughout the town for three consecutive days,” Sukumar said.

She said she also participated in a dansala opposite the Jaffna Library. “There were thousands of people on the streets eagerly enjoying the festivities. This is the first time I have seen people in Jaffna enjoying Vesak with such interest,” the Government Agent said. “The streets were illuminated. Religious ceremonies were held in temples in the peninsula. The Tamil public not only witnessed the events but they also participated in them,” she said.