ANCL illuminates Mihinthale for 50th time

Priyanka Kurugala

The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd’s (ANCL) 50th Poson Mihinthale Aloka Pooja began on a grand scale yesterday. M/S Abans Ltd is sponsoring the Mihinthale Aloka Pooja for the seventh consecutive year at a cost of Rs 2.5 million. ANCL also opened a well-equipped Children’s Park (Sellam Midula) for Pathiraja Tennakoon Primary School in Mihinthale. The opening ceremony was held yesterday.

The Children’s Park was donated on the request of Pathiraja Tennakoon Primary School, Mihinthale Principal RWM Mallika Menike and Mihinthale Divisional Secretary Ruwan Ekanayake.

The donation was organised under the guidance of Mihintale Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Ven Walahahengunawewe Dhammaratana Nayake Thera.

Ven Walahahengunawewe Dhammaratana Nayake Thera said Lake House Mihinthale Aloka Pooja is another social service of ANCL. “The Mihinthale Aloka Pooja has been organised by ANCL for the 50th time, which is a meritorious act,” the prelate said.

The first day of the Mihinthale Aloka Pooja was opened by North Central Province Governor Karunarathna Divulgane, North Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Youth Affairs and Skills Development Deputy Minister and Mihinthale UPFA chief organiser Duminda Dissanayake, Lake House Chairman and Managing Director Bandula Padmakumara, Ceylon Electricity Board chairman Wimaladharma Abeywickrama and Abans General Manager Dhammika Prasanna.

ANCL Board of Directors were also present. The newly constructed Poyage will also be opened for the Maha Sangha today at 4pm. Ven Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathaana Nayake Thera said the construction of the Mihinthale Poyage is another meritorious deed of Lake House. The Mihinthale Poyage was constructed on the guidance of the National Heritage Ministry and the Archaeological Department while Maliban is sponsoring the Mihinthale Poyage.

The presentation of certificates to winners in the essay and debate competitions conducted by the Budusarana paper will be held today. Around 1,000 Dhamma schoolchildren will observe Sil in Mihinthale today. The third day Mihinthale Aloka Pooja will be held tomorrow under the patronage of Government Agent Anuradhapura Mahinda Senevirathna.