Vesak Week from May 21 to 27

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The State Vesak Festival will be held on May 25 at Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Buttalla in Monaragala on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the guidance of Prime Minister and Budhhasasana and Religious Affairs Minister D. M. Jayaratne.

Addressing the media at the Information Department yesterday, Kelaniya University Chancellor Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma

Thera said since five years back, the government held the State Vesak Festival in various parts of the country.

"This year, the State Vesak festival will be held at Yudaganawa Rajamaha Vihara premises with the participation of Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M K A D S Gunawardane and Uva Province Chief Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa," he said.

"Former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar made an enormous contribution in getting Vesak day declared an International Celebration Day. Therefore, for Sri Lankans it is important to celebrate this festival at national level," Ven Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera said. Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General Chandraprema Gamage said the festival is jointly organised by 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.

"The government declared May 21 to 27 as the National Vesak Week. We request all Buddhists to display Buddhist Flags at homes during the Vesak Week," the commissioner said.

He said persons organsing dansal should inform the Viharadhipati and the Grama Niladhari of the area due to complaints received by the department about racketeers collecting financial and other contributions for dansal.

Gamage said the Buddhist flag should not be displayed at dansal to attract people.

He requested to use a yellow flag for this.

"Organisers should desist from playing music loud or depicting gruesome scenes at these venues as it would distort the public minds," Gamage said.

Rockitt Benckiser (Lanka) Ltd. Planning Manager Naveen Seneviratne said their company will provide sanitary facilities voluntarily for the State Vesak Festival and all other religious festivals in the country. Samastha Lanka Shasanarakshaka Balamandaya Secretary Ven. Gonaduwe Gunanada Thero and officials participated.