Vesak Week May 21 to 27

The government has declared May 24 and 25 as Vesak days and the period May 21 to 27 as Vesak Week. It has selected the theme "Live by the dhamma" (Dharmayehi hesirenna) for this year's Vesak festival, stated a Government Information Department release yesterday.

The release added that the Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs directed all Provincial Chief Secretaries and District Secretaries (GAs) to ensure that all liquor shops and taverns countrywide are closed for business on May 24 and 25. The sale of liquor and meat is prohibited in Supermarkets on these two days. They have also been directed to ensure the closure of slaughter houses, bookies, casinos, nightclubs and fish and meat stalls as well on these two days.

Meanwhile the Exercise Department has ordered the closure of all liquor shops, bars and taverns throughout the country on May 24 and 25, on account of Vesak Poya.