ANCL Aloka Pooja to illuminate Poson festival

Amila Prabath Wanasinghe and Anuradhapura district special corr

The 2320th National Poson Festival will be held on a grand scale this year centred in Mihintale and Anuradhapura.

A highlight will be the Mihintale Aloka Pooja conducted by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd for the 51st time this year.

This years arrangements were discussed at a meeting of the Poson Festival Committee presided by Committee Chairman and Anuradhapura GA Mahinda Seneviratne on April 11. Arrangements for religious observances to be held concurrently at the Atamasthana sites including the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweli Seya during the Poson week were also discussed at length during this meeting.

Subjects discussed included decorations, illuminations and media coverage as well as facilities provided to the large number of Poson pilgrims expected. Anuradhapura GA Mahinda Seneviratne directed officials to take all necessary steps to ensure security, drinking water, electricity, sanitary and other facilities to the pilgrims and provide an efficient transport service by renovating dilapidated roads.

He said decorations should be undertaken in a manner that would ensure religious pride without damaging the environment.

He said trade stalls should be erected with the Municipal Council approval without obstructing the smooth flow of traffic.