19th May 2025
The State Vesak Festival 2025, marking the Buddhist Year of 2569, began on 10th May at the International Buddhist Centre Temple in Nuwara Eliya, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Theros of the Three Nikayas.
The festival, themed “Bhajetha Miththe Kalyane–Bhajetha Purisuththame” (Associate with noble friends of virtue), runs from May 10th –16th, focusing on the Nuwara Eliya District.
Organized with the guidance of the Maha Sangha with the coordination of multiple government institutions, the festival includes a series of religious programmes, temple development work supported by the tri-forces and activities under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative.
The highlights included the issuing of a commemorative Vesak stamp and the official presentation of ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ declaring two historic religious sites: Maliyadeva Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Kotmale and Sri Vishnu Devalaya in Kurunegala.
The event was attended by Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army representing the Commander of the Army.
Clergy, government leaders, foreign diplomats, tri-forces personnel and international guests also participated in the event emphasizing religious harmony and international Buddhist relations.
(Photo and Article Courtesy: www.presidentsoffice.gov.lk)
