The Buddhasasana Ministry has decided to hold the state Vesak festival in Puttalam District this year.

Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Somarathne Vidanapathirana said the Vesak festival will be celebrated this year with the aim of promoting Buddhist teachings across the country focusing on the Puttalam District. He said the ministry is working together with several institutions at the national level as well as the district and local level in this regard. 

State Vesak festival includes pre-Vesak programmes, Vesak day programmes during the Vesak week and Vesak Poya programme.

A special discussion in this regard was held at Sri Rathanasiri Piriven Vihara in Karavitagara, Chilaw under the auspices of Maha Sangha including Ven.Nadagamuwe Wijaya Maithree Anunayake Thera of Paththaduvana Sri Lanka Ramagna Maha Nikaya.

However, Ven. Itthepana Sumana Nayaka Thera, the Chairman of the Kalpitiya Regional Shashanarakshaka Mandala protested the move to hold the State Vesak festival at the Rathanasiri Pirivena.

In a letter to the President, the Thera said that it is a disgrace to the Buddhist community to hold the State Vesak ceremony in this temple according to the whims of a political leader from a different religious background in Chilaw.