State Vesak Festival in Monergala

The state Vesak Festival will be held in Monergala district this year, a release from the Prime Minister's Office said. The 57th Vesak Festival will be held at Yudaganawa Raja Maha Vihara premises, Buttala in Moneragala district.

The festival will be held on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the guidance of Prime Minister and Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Minister D M Jayaratne.

The Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry, Buddhist Affairs Department, Moneragala District Secretariat, Uva Province Chief Secretariat, Buttala Divisional Secretariat and Pradeshiya Sabha, Samastha Lanka Shasanarakshaka Balamandaya and several other governmental and non-governmental organisations will participate in organising the event.

A discussion about the 57th Vesak Festival was held at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The participation of 1,000 schoolchildren and 2,000 adults in the sheela vyaparaya in the Yudaganawa Raja Maha Viharaya was discussed.

The Organising Committee has taken measures to provide all requirements including dana, water and sanitary facilities for those participating in the sheela vyaparaya.

Cash prizes will be granted to children who win in the Bhakthi Geetha competition to be held at regional and district Shasanarakshaka Balamandala levels in the festival.

Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Chandraprema Gamage said prizes will also be given to winners of the Veask lantern competition.

Parallel to the State Vesak Festival, arrangements have been made to construct a fully equipped library at Yudaganawa Raja Maha Vihara premises, 11 houses in all Divisional Secretariats in Moneragala district under the Sasunin Sevana project, to grant scholarships to students who secure the first place at district level skill completion, issue a Vesak stamp and a Vesak souvenir and other activities.