Sri Lanka marks the beginning of National Vesak Week today (10 ), commemorating the 2,569 th Sambuddha Jayanthi (Sambudhu Themagula).
The week-long observance, which celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha, will continue until May 16.
This years State Vesak Festival will be held in the Nuwara Eliya District, with occasions beginning today.The celebration is jointly arranged by the All Ceylon Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya, the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Buddhist Affairs, the Central Provincial Council, and the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat.Held under the theme Lets relate to worthy good friends with excellent qualities, this years celebration aims to cultivate spiritual advancement and common harmony through religious observances, designs, and neighborhood activities.In conjunction with the celebration, the 2nd phase of the Siam Lanka Dharma Yatra, a spiritual expedition that started in Bandarawela, is set to conclude in Nuwara Eliya today.
This program is a joint initiative of the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Sasanarakshaka Mandalayas.Additionally, numerous pending temple advancement jobs in the Nuwara Eliya District are set up to be launched during Vesak Week, with assistance from the Sri Lankan tri-forces.
In view of the spiritual observances, the Government Information Department announced that meat stores, slaughterhouses, alcohol stores, gambling establishments, clubs, and racebooks across the island will remain closed on May 12, 13, and 14.
The sale of meat in grocery stores is also strictly forbidden throughout this period, in line with government regulations.Vesak is the most substantial spiritual celebration for Buddhists in Sri Lanka and is marked by religious activities, the lighting of Vesak lanterns, and almsgiving occasions held throughout the nation.