May 22, Colombo (LNW): The State Vesak festival started yesterday (21) in Matale with the blessings of the Maha Sanga and under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.
Foreign representatives including ambassadors, ministers, and government officials also participated in the event.
The Vesak festival will continue till May 27, with the closing ceremony to be held at the Millawana Sri Sunandaramaya of the Pallepola Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya.
The Maha Sanga, including Anunayake of Siam Sect of the Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayake of the Siam Sect of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Anamaduve Sri Dhammadassi Thera, Mahanayaka of the Rangiri Dambulu Chapter Most Ven. Inamaluwe Sumangala Thera, Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha Mahanayaka Most Ven. Malwane Pannasara Thera, Chief Sanganayake of Matale District of the Siam Sect of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Kosgolle Seelarathana Thera, and clergy from other religions participated in the event.
Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka, Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage, State Minister Shanta Bandara, Members of Parliament Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda, Yadamini Gunawardena, Gunathilaka Rajapaksa, Rohini Kaviratne, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara, ambassadors of China, Vietnam, and Korea, High Commissioner of Pakistan, Assistant High Commissioner of India, government officials including Buddha Sasana Ministry Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana, and many devotees also participated in this event.
