Govt declares May 21-27 as Vesak Week

Chamikara Weerasinghe

Diyawanna Vesak Festival from May 24 to 27

The Lakviru Sevana in Battaramulla and its surrounding area beside the Diyawanna Oya has been declared a Vesak Zone from May 24 to 27 under a programme organised on the initiative of Ven Elle Gunawansa Nayake Thera.

The Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and several other state and private sector institutions will exhibit Vesak lanterns adding colour to the Vesak Zone.

A highlight will be a simulated scene of a horse trying to jump across Diyawanna Oya reminiscent of Prince Siddharta crossing the Anoma Ganga on the back of his horse Kanthaka.

The Diyawanna Oya will be lit up by floating lotus flowers created by the Air Force while a Vesak Bakthi Gee recital will be presented in a floating boat provided by the Navy.

A group of Daham Pasal students from the area will perform the Bakthi Gee recital under the sponsorship of the SLBC.

A group of nearly 500 daham pasal students will parade the Vesak Zone riding decorated bicycles.

The government has declared May 24 and 25, as official Vesak holidays and May 21 to 27 as Vesak Week. The government has chosen Charatha Dhamme (Conduct according to Dhamma ) as the theme for Vesak this year.

All liquor shops, slaughter houses , betting centers and casinos will be closed on May 24 and 25. The State Administration and Home Affairs Ministry issued instructions to all Provincial Secretaries and District Secretaries to ensure that there will be no sale of liquor or meat items during these two days, ministry sources said.