The Cabinet has declared May 10 to 16 as Vesak Week, during which religious, cultural, and social programs will take place across the country.
All wine stores, nightclubs, slaughterhouses, meat stalls in supermarkets, and retail outlets nationwide selling meat products will remain closed from May 12 to 14 to mark Vesak.
The Government has organised a series of events for the 2025 Vesak Festival. This year’s State Vesak celebrations will be held at the International Buddhist Centre in Nuwara Eliya, on the theme: Bhajetha miththe kalyane – Bhajetha purisuttame (Let us associate with noble friends of good qualities).
State institutions, private organisations, and households have been encouraged to decorate their premises with Vesak lanterns and flags, and to hoist the Buddhist flag during the week.
The official celebrations have been organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; and the Department of Buddhist Affairs. The All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Balamandalaya is providing guidance for the event.
Parallel religious observances including pinkamas, Dhamma sermons, Daana-Sheela-Bhavana (generosity, morality, and meditation) programs, and Dhamma discussions will take place on Vesak day at temples, Buddhist centres, schools, and Dhamma schools across the country. These will be coordinated by Shasanarakshaka Mandalayas in the districts and divisions.
On May 11, activities aligned with the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative – such as tree planting, environmental awareness workshops, and shramadana (voluntary labour) programs – will be conducted in schools, orphanages, temples, public spaces, and homes to mark Vesak.
In a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Government has emphasised that Vesak Full Moon Poya Day on May 12 should be reserved for spiritual reflection and the practice of Buddhist spiritual principles (Prathipaththi pooja). The circular calls upon the public to avoid entertainment such as musical shows on that day.
