24th May 2024 17:37:04 Hours
The Vesak Day programme of the National Vesak Festival was held in Matale on 23 May 2024 (Vesak Poya Day) presided by Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
A distinguished gathering of clergy, Hon. Lalith U Gamage, the Governor of Central Province, Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, State Minister of Defence, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army and Mrs. Janaki Liyanage, President of Army Seva Vanitha Unit also took part in the programme.
At the outset, Ven. Kosgolle Seelarathana Maha Nayake Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Matale Dharmaraja Piriwena, delivered the welcoming oration and Ven. Mugunawela Anurudda Thero conducted the next oration describing the objectives of the event.
Coinciding with the National Vesak Festival 2024, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs together with the Governor of Central Province and State Minister of Defence presented six symbolic ‘Pooja Bhoomi Sannas Pathra’, naming six temples and its lands as sacred lands and ‘Nidahas Deemana Pathra’ for another five temples.
Afterwards, a deserving family symbolically received the key for their new house from the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army. The house was constructed by 8 Gajaba Regiment in collaboration with Army Seva Vanitha Unit.
Later, students of Kalalpitiya Kshetrarama Viharaya Damma School, presented a devotee song (Bhakthi Geetha) adding colour to the event. Representing, HE the President, Hon Lalith U Gamage read the President’s message to the audience. Marking the culmination of the event, Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs delivered the vote of thanks.
Towards the end, the foreign delegates who participated in the occasion, presented a few special mementos to the Commander of the Army.
Major General S.R.B Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, the Commander, Security Forces – Central, Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks and a large crowd of devotees took part in the event.
