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Vesak- festival of lights, in all its grandeur this year
View(s):Vesak, now known as the “Festival of Lights”, will be celebrated in all its grandeur. The Vesak Kalapa (Vesak Zones), replete with pageantry and colour, will be held this year as well, mostly in and around Colombo, though they have filtered into the outstations too. This year, with the approval of President Maithripala Sirisena, seven days, from April 30 to May 6 have been declared as Vesak Week, with the theme “Meth Sithin Guna Wadamu” (Let us Cultivate Compassion).
Ahead of Vesak Week, three special stamps in the denominations of Rs. 8, Rs. 10 and Rs. 50, depicting instances of pratipatti (practical) and aamisa (material) poojas, were issued on April 21. These stamps were issued under the patronage of Buddha Sasana, Public Administration and Democratic Governance Minister Karu Jayasuriya. The Railways Department meanwhile is to provide special trains during Vesak Week, centred around the Kelaniya and Kalutara areas.
The Department of Excise says all liquor stores, night clubs and meat shops will be closed on Vesak Poya day as well as on the day following (May 3 & 4). According to the Government news portal, directives have been issued to ensure that slaughter houses, betting shops, nightclubs and fish and meat stalls are closed on these two days. The sale of liquor and meat during these two days is strictly prohibited.
Operation of dansals within the CMC area should be with the approval of the CMC’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ruwan Wijayamuni, who says that dansal organisers must register with the CMC’s Chief Public Health Inspector (PHI). The operation of dansals in Colombo without the permission of the CMC is prohibited.
“This action has been taken to ensure food safety during Vesak Week,” he said.Medical Officers and PHIs would inspect the cleanliness of the kitchen, the water used, the process of disposing garbage and cleanliness of the people who prepare food.