The State Vesak Festival for the Buddhist Year 2569 commenced on Saturday (10) at the International Buddhist Centre Temple in Nuwara Eliya, under the patronage of the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Theros of the Three Nikayas and with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

This year’s State Vesak Festival is held under the theme “Bhajetha Miththe Kalyane–Bhajetha Purisuththame” (Associate with noble friends of virtue) and will be conducted from May 10 to 16, centered around the Nuwara Eliya District.

Organized in line with the guidance of the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theros and the directives of the All Island Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, the festival 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 District Secretariat of Nuwara Eliya.

In conjunction with the declaration of the ‘Vesak Week’ from May 10 to 16, a series of Buddhist religious programmes have been organized in accordance with government policy to promote the spiritual development of the people. Additionally, on-going development work at several temples in the Nuwara Eliya District will be completed during this period with the support of the tri-forces.

Further, a number of special programmes are being implemented under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative to foster spiritual growth and Buddhist awareness among the public in parallel with the State Vesak Festival.

Hosting this year’s State Vesak Festival in the multi-religious and multi-cultural Nuwara Eliya District is of special significance. It aims to foster Buddhist enlightenment across the country and further strengthen ties with Buddhist nations around the world.

To mark the occasion of 2569th State Vesak Festival, a commemorative stamp was issued, with the first stamp being officially presented to the President.

The event also included the presentation of ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ (official declarations) designating the historic Maliyadeva Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Kotmale and the Sri Vishnu Devalaya in Kurunegala as sites of religious worship, both formally handed over by the President.

The event was graced by prominent members of the Maha Sangha, including Chief Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya and Chief Incumbent of the Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya Most Venerable Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya Most Venerable Anamaduwe  Sri Dammadassi Nayaka Thero together with the Maha Sangha representing the three Nikayas, The Chairman of the All Island Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, Most Venerable Professor Thubulle Seelakkhanda Nayaka Thera, the Chief Registrar of Samastha Lanka Shasanarakshaka Balamandala, Venerable Muganuwala Anuruddha Nayaka Thera, along with the Maha Sangha of the Samastha Lanka Shasanarakshaka Balamandalaya.

Also in attendance were multi-religious clergy, Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, other Ministers and MPs, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, senior government officials, foreign Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and a distinguished gathering of local and international guests.

The Election Commission has called on all candidates who contested the just concluded 2025 Local Government (LG) Elections to submit their campaign income and expenditure reports by May 28, in line with the Election Expenditure Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023 although there are no penalties for non-compliance.

Candidates are required to file their disclosures with the Returning Officers of their respective electoral districts. Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake stated that the measure aims to promote trans parency and accountability in the electoral process.

However, Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies(IRES) Executive Director Manjula Gajanayake expressed concern over the lack of enforcement mechanisms, warning that the absence of penalties could undermine the effectiveness of the law.

By Ranil Dharmasena

In view of the upcoming Vesak festival, all liquor outlets, bars, taverns, meat stalls, butcheries, horse race betting centres, casinos, and clubs will be closed for three days from tomorrow (May 12), the Ministry of Public Administration announced.

The closures, effective on May 12, 13, and 14, are part of the official Vesak Week (May 10–16), declared by Cabinet decision. A circular has been issued to relevant authorities, confirming the nationwide observance, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Aloka Bandara said.

The Vesak Week of 2025 (Year 2569 in Buddhist Calender) is marked from May 10 to May 16, as a per a Cabinet decision. The decision has been conveyed to the Secretaries to the President, Prime Minister and Ministers and heads of statutory bodies, Bandara said adding that a circular has been issued on the closure of aforementioned places.

Excise Commissioner General Udaya Kumara said that liquor sales will be strictly prohibited during the three days. Restaurants and tourist hotels have been instructed not to serve alcohol to guests.

An Excise Department official noted the ban is typically in place for two days but has been extended by an extra day this year to coincide with the State Vesak Festival.Liquor license holders have been warned to comply, while the public is urged to report violations via hotline 1913 or 011-2877688.

By Chaminda Silva