Colombo trying to keep the Vesak spirit going
People buy decorations, but vendors say business not profitable
Even amidst security concerns and visibly present extra security personnel in Colombo, the people’s spirit had not entirely been broken when it comes to celebrating Vesak festival as both Buddhists and non-buddhists are preparing to celebrate the festival.
Colombo, which lights up for the Vesak festival each year with many known Pandals and Vesak Zones, has zero Vesak zones or Pandals this year because of the security concerns prevailing in the country following the Easter Sunday attacks.
Nevertheless, people are seen visiting the temporarily set up stalls in Colombo to purchase Vesak lanterns and other decorations to decorate their homes to celebrate the festival in a low-key.
We spoke to some of the traders in Colombo and Rajagiriya who said their businesses were not that good this time. However, they said unlike the previous years, many non-buddhists also bought Vesak decorations from them in an attempt to display solidarity in the difficult times the country is going through.
“People are making an effort to celebrate Vesak with the hope of a peaceful country again. This time Buddhists and specially people who worship other religions also commemorate the Vesak Poya Day as Sri Lankans,” they said.
To celebrate the Vesak season, those who are fond of Vesak lanterns would either buy or make them on their own. Even in a tense condition in the country the streets of Colombo were lined up with a number of temporary stalls selling lanterns of various shapes and sizes, cards and various Vesak decorations. Daily Mirror spoke to a few manufactures and vendors of Vesak lanterns in Colombo.
Nuwan Perera – Rajagiriya
Early this month we thought we would not be able to sell any Vesak lanterns this time because of the adverse situation in the country. But people are still buying Vesak lanterns and other decorations. This time we noticed that people are more excited about celebrating the festival and that they are eager to buy lanterns and decorations. We have been engaged in this business for about 25 years and we are making thousands of lanterns per year. Chandrika Peiris – Kirulapona
We are making Vesak lanterns by using only natural, raw materials such as bamboo sticks and we have been carrying on this business for almost 20 years now. This time we were scared to start the business because of the situation in the country. We even destroyed some lanterns which we made early this year. We usually start making lanterns in January. This time we made a lot of lanterns. But with the prevailing situation in the country we thought the authorities would not give us permission to perform the business. However, Kirulapona Police granted the permission to handle the business in the area.
C. Sirikumara – Kirulapona
We have been engaged in this business for almost 30 years but this time we are facing a hard time. This year, the business is not profitable. Police curfew was imposed several times to prevent the violent situation in the country and because of these circumstances we were not able to manage our business properly. Specially, there were various false rumours spread across the country and because of this, people are not keen to celebrate the festival as in past years. Also, there are no Vesak zones in Colombo and we have not received any orders to make lanterns. This time the business is an utter failure. We have to pay the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) for this premise but this time we don’t have any profits. U.L. Nilanthi – Kirulapona
There is no major impact to our business due to the recent tense situation in the country. We have been engaged in this industry for over 30 years and we hope to sell all the lanterns in our store. Every year we make lanterns as a family business. I get lot of customers from schools and companies. I have been making and selling Vesak lanterns since my childhood. The lanterns are sold at the lowest rate of Rs.150 and upwards. We make big and ornamental Vesak lanterns when an order is given.