Discussion Held on State Vesak Festival at Kuragala

A discussion on the conduct of the forthcoming National Vesak festival at Kuragala Rajamaha Vihara and the National Vesak Week at government level got underway this morning (28) at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs at Colombo 7.

Secretary to Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Kapila Gunawardana presided the meeting.

Ven Waturakumbure Dhammaratana Thera, Incumbent for both Kuragala Raja Maha Viharaya and Nelligala International Buddhist Centre, together with General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Major General Ajith Dissanayake, Chief of Staff at the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Deepal Pussella, Adjutant General of the Army, Major General Anil Udaya Kumara Director, Directorate of Personnel Administration, Senior Officers of the Navy, Air Force and the Police, Mrs. Anoja P Guruge, Additional Secretary, State Officials and several provincial administrators were associated with the day’s meeting.

Extensive discussions explored possibilities of proper conduct of this year’s state Vesak festival at Kuragala Raja Maha Viharaya, its inauguration of new structures, Vesak Day programme on 15 May, Vesak week (15-22 May) and arrangements for carriage of the sacred pinnacle and the relic casket for veneration and all other related coordination matters.

As the incumbent at Kuragala, Ven Waturakumbure Dhammaratana Thera outlined the proposed conduct of the national event that marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinibbana of the Buddha and its universal importance at a time the Buddha’s teaching has caught the attention of the whole world.

General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army contributed to the discussion and highlighted the importance of the National Vesak festival, sponsored by the State and commitment of all stakeholders. Kuragala State festival will add more importance since it is the first time this National event is held in Kuragala which has now received a complete facelift, General Shavendra Silva added.

Secretary to Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Kapila Gunawardana also expressed the governmental contribution to the conduct of the National Vesak festival and how the festival could be held on a grand scale.