Sri Pada Season begins on Dec.22

Sri Padastana Chief Incumbent and Chief Sanghanayaka of the Sabaragamuwa Province, Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thera said an effective plan would be implemented to provide security to the pilgrims and prevent environmental pollution caused to the Sri Pada sacred area by the haphazard disposal of garbage.

A decision was taken to install CCTV cameras along the pilgrims’s route at regular intervals to enhance protection to the pilgrims

Addressing a meeting to make arrangements for the Sri Pada Season 2018/2019 that would begin on the Unduwap full moon Poya Day on December 22, the Ven. Thera said the relics casket and the statues of the deities would be taken in procession from the Pelmadulla, Galpottawala Rajamaha Vihara on December 21.

Referring to the special arrangements to enhance security during the pilgrim season, the Ven. Thera said any unauthorized stalls would be banned along the pilgrims’ route from Nallathanniya to Seetha Gangula.

Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Rohana Pushpakumara said steps would be taken with the help of the police and the Pradeshiya Sabha to demolish all such stalls after the Road Development Authority marked the road reservation. A decision was taken to install CCTV cameras along the pilgrims’ route at regular intervals to enhance protection to the pilgrims.

The District Secretary said garbage would be collected and transported to Colombo for recycling. Additional District Secretary R.T. Sarathchandra, Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretary R.t.b.sumanasekara, Hatton SP Ravindra Ambepitiya and the senior officials of several government and private sector establishments were present.