The State Vesak Festival commenced yesterday in Nuwara Eliya. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended several events in this connection in Nuwara Eliya yesterday. A special commemorative stamp was also issued.
This marked the beginning of Vesak Week, which will continue till May 16. Religious, cultural, and social programs will take place across the country during the Vesak Week.
All wine stores, nightclubs, slaughterhouses, meat stalls in supermarkets, and retail outlets selling meat products will remain closed nationwide from May 12-14 to mark Vesak.
The Government has organised a series of events for the 2025 Vesak Festival to reflect its religious and cultural significance. This year’s State Vesak celebration will be centred on the International Buddhist Centre in Nuwara Eliya, under 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.
Permission has been granted for over 2,000 dansalas to offer cooked food, which will also be inspected by Public Health Inspectors.
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 Board is also assisting in this endeavour.
Parallel religious observances including pinkamas, Dhamma sermons, Daana-sheela-bhavana (generosity, morality, and meditation) programs, and Dhamma discussions will take place tomorrow, Vesak Day (May 12) at temples, Buddhist centres, schools, and Dhamma schools across the country. These will be coordinated by Shasanarakshaka Boards 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 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 tomorrow should be reserved for spiritual reflection and the practice of Buddhist principles (Prathipaththi pooja). The circular calls upon the public to avoid entertainment such as musical shows on that day. – CW
