News
Sale of liquor banned in Anuradhapura district during Poson week: DS Anuradhapura
View(s):
Wijeya Newspapers Ltd employees erecting pandals in preparation for today's Aloka Pooja. Pix Athula Bandara
Strict environment controls including the prohibition of nailing advertisements on trees, bathing in the Tissamaharama and Nuwara Wewa tanks and restrictions on the disposal of garbage have been put in place for Poson celebrations at Anuradhapura over the weekend, officials said.
The celebrations will continue from June 16 – 22.
District Secretary of Anuradhpura Mr. D.P.G. Kumarasiri said that the ban on bathing was put in place as water from the two tanks would be needed to provide drinking water to pilgrims and the public. He explained authorities were forced to enforce strict measures as pilgrims were in the habit of disposing left-over food on the tank bund, throwing waste wash cloths with soap into the tank and even performing their ablutions in the tank itself.
“Over 3,000 police officials will be on duty to ensure safety of the pilgrims, while 600 life- guards from the police, navy and life-savers associations would be present at other tanks and waterways that could be used for bathing” he added.
According to Mr Kumarasiri over 200 dansalas had been registered, and Public Health Inspectors would be deployed around the clock. The sale cigarettes has been banned at archaeology sites during the seven-day period and slaughter-houses too been ordered closed he said.
Mr. Kumarasiri said a ban on the sale of liquor had been imposed in the entire district during the seven-day period.
Tantirimale
Meanwhile, preparations to celebrate poson poya at Polonnaruwa and Hambantota were continuing.
District Secretary Polonnaruwa Mr. H. Senanayake said that they are expecting around 600,000 pilgrims his priority was to ensure the safety of pilgrims who bathe in the tanks.
“Water levels in tanks have risen and could pose a danger to pilgrims he said. As such a 750-strong group of life-savers from the Sri Lanka Navy, Disaster Management officials and life-saver groups have been dispatched to patrol the tanks.” he said.
In the event of President Sirisena visiting the area the President’s Security Division would put into operation a special security plan he added
District Secretary Hambantota, Mr. W.H. Karunaratne said arrangements had been made to deploy 450 police officers along with army personnel and wildlife department officials.Wildlife department officials were drafted in, to minimise instances of human-animal conflict. He added special camps would be set up in different zones.
Water would be provided in water bowsers by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) while the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) would ensure an uninterupted supply of electricity he said.
The general hospital and other hospitals will be ready to handle any emergencies and the Sri Lanaka Transport Board (SLTB) buses and the private bus operators had agreed to provide special transport services within the district he said.
Asanka Nanayakkara of the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka’s (LSASL) trainer, said they would deploy over 700 life-savers. He advised the public to follow advisories posted near tanks regarding safety measures and called on the public to use tanks and pools which are monitored by life-guards.
Sithulpawwa. Pic by Janath Silva
Dodang dansala at Karuwalagaswewa. Pic by Jayaratne Wickremarachchi
Anuradapura dansal