State Vesak Festival 2019 at Thotagamuwa Raja Maha Viharaya

The State Vesak Festival commenced yesterday with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena at the ancient Thotagamuwa Raja Maha Viharaya where the famous Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Thera lived. President Sirisena visited the temple during the afternoon after participating at a festival held at the Seenigama Devalaya in the morning.

This can be treated as a historic event of the ancient Thotagamuwa Raja Maha Viharaya where the State Vesak Festival is being held this year. The Maha Sangha from different places of the country participated at this historic event.

This festival was organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana with the assistance of Ministers Vajira Abeywardena and Gayantha Karunathilaka from the Galle District. This opportunity was obtained to the temple with the help of former Provincial Councillor and UNP Chief Organizer of Rathgama Electorate Sanjeewa Karunathilaka. According to arrangements, this festival was to be held for a few days but due to the present situation in the country it has been limited to two days.

Minister of Buddasasana, Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, Minister Vajira Abeywardena, Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka, former Chief Minister of Southern Provincial Council Shan Wijayalal De Silva and the Governor of Southern Provincial Council Keerthi Tennakoon together with the MPS of the Galle District,

This festival was to be held for a few days but due to the present situation in the country it has been limited to two days

Former Provincial Councillors of Southern Provincial Council and Members of the Local Bodies of Galle District and a large crowd participated at this event.

Secretary to the President Udaya Ranjith Senaviratne, Secretary of the Buddasasana Ministry, Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs, District Secretary of Galle, Divisional Secretary of the Hikkaduwa Divisional Secretariat and many government and private sector officers participated.