(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Sri Lanka has declared a National Vesak Week from today, May 15th to mark the most significant event for Buddhists all over the world.
All arrangements have been finalized to hold the State Vesak Festival- 2019 at the Thotagama Ranpath Viiharaya in Galle under the patronage of the President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday and Saturday.
The Buddha Sasana Ministry says this year’s Vesak festival aims to create a society of wise Buddhists making the village temple as the center of spiritual development in order to realize the sustainable goals of development.
The Ministry says many programs will be held centering the Vihara during the Vesak Week and 50 million rupees will be allocated for the development activities of 200 Dhamma schools and 85 temples.
The Chief Prelates (Mahanayakes) of four Buddhist chapters have requested the public to give priority to spiritual practices and not to conduct external celebrations that draw crowd in connection with Wesak Full Poya Day due to the present security situation in the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assured that the government, the Security Forces and Police will extend unqualified support to the people to celebrate Vesak give priority to “amisa Pooja” as decided by the Chief Prelates.
