State festival: Low key activities for subdued Vesak Poya

Unlike in the past 10 years, Vesak Poya Day related actives are low key this year, although minority communities have been seen joining to make decorations and walking in multi-religious peraheras.

The national Vesak Week runs from May 15 to May 21, but the celebrations were scaled down owing to security fears following the Easter Sunday killings by Islamic extremist suicide bombers.. Official commemorations began on Friday at the Telwatta Thotagamu Purana Ranpath Rajamaha Viharaya in Hikkaduwa under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was due to attend Vesak Poya religious observances at the same temple yesterday.

The festival was curtailed from five days to two after the Mahanayaka Theras in a joint appeal, urged the more emphasis on religious activities.

The festival is being held under the theme “Akusal Durukota Kusal Vadamu” (Let us discard evil deeds and cultivate good deeds).

Assistant commissioner (development) at the Department of Buddhist Affairs, R.M.N.K.S. Kanchana, said some events were cancelled.

A Vesak zone in Hikkaduwa will not be held.

“The focus will be on developing the spiritual aspect of Buddhists in light of recent events,” Mr Kanchana said. The government has also advised the public not to engage in Vesak related activities that attract large crowds, including large pandals and dansals.

Temples have been advised to form security committees and consult police and the armed forces. Devotees have been urged to avoid carrying bags to temples.