The State Vesak Festival for the Buddhist year 2569 commenced today (May 10) at the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre Temple, under the patronage of the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Theras representing the three main Buddhist monastic orders and with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
This year’s State Vesak Festival, held under the theme “Bhajetha Mitthe Kalyane Bhajetha Purisuttame” (Let us associate with virtuous and noble friends), will take place from May 10 to 16, centered around the Nuwara Eliya District.
Organized under the guidance of the Maha Nayaka Theras and the All-Island Sāsana Protection Council, the event is coordinated by the Presidential Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Buddhist Affairs, the Central Provincial Council, and the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat.
A special “Vesak Week” has been declared from May 10 to 16. In line with national policy, various Buddhist religious programs have been organized to foster the spiritual development of the public. During this period, development work at incomplete temples in the Nuwara Eliya District is being expedited with the assistance of the armed forces.
Alongside the main celebrations, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative is being carried out, launching a series of special programs aimed at promoting spiritual and religious awareness among the public.
Hosting this year’s State Vesak Festival in the culturally and religiously diverse Nuwara Eliya District is considered significant. It aims not only to foster a national Buddhist awakening but also to strengthen ties with Buddhist countries around the world.
To mark the occasion, a commemorative stamp was issued, with the first copy presented to the President.
Additionally, official charters were presented by the President designating the historic Kothmale Maliyadeva Raja Maha Viharaya and the Sri Vishnu Devalaya in Kurunegala as sacred worship sites for the 2025 State Vesak Festival.
Among those in attendance were prominent Buddhist clergy including:
- Dr. Venerable Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera, Chief Secretary of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya and Chief Incumbent of the Somawathie Raja Maha Vihara,
- Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Nayaka Thera, Deputy of the Asgiriya Chapter,
- Professor Venerable Thumbulle Seelakkhanda Nayaka Thera, Chairman of the All-Island Sāsana Protection Council,
- Venerable Mukunuwala Anuruddha Nayaka Thera, Chief Secretary of the same council.
Also present were interfaith religious leaders, Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramarathna, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumara, other government officials, foreign diplomats, and local and international dignitaries.
