News
Poson celebrated across the country
View(s):By Senuka Jayakody
Crowds started gathering from Friday in Anuradhapura.
The Anuradhapura District Secretary and chairman of the Poson committee, Janaka Jayasundara told the Sunday Times a meeting was held with the Ceylon Electricity Board to discuss Mihintale illuminations. The CEB had said it will provide electricity for areas such as “Amba Wanaya” in Mihintale where lighting is necessary, he said.
Further, the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government had agreed to provide funds for administration expenses. Money would be used to pay officials at information counters helping pilgrims arriving in Mihintale, and other administration-related expenses.
A donor has been found for the ‘aloka pooja’ in Mihintale, while the aloka pooja at Thanthirimale was done by Wijeya Newspapers.
The “Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Pooja” hosted by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd in Thanthirimale was held on June 2 and yesterday and would be held tonight as well.
The annual Mihintale Perehera was held on June 2 amid controversy.
While Ven. Valahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thero had publicly refused the Rs. 3 million allocated by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. Mr. Jayasundara claimed that it had not been done in writing.
Perahera costs are paid through the Divisional Secretariat, but it had not requested any funds as of Thursday.
“If the money is not used, it can be returned to the Government, but as of now, the situation is dubious,” Mr. Jayasundara said.
A message from the President’s office refuted allegations about the lack of funding for the Poson festival, stating that two state ministries and a department have allocated Rs. 28.8 million, despite “the financial regulations imposed by Parliament”.
The National Water Supply and Drainage Board agreed to supply 30,000 cubic meters of water for drinking and sanitary needs. The Anuradhapura Municipal Council has provided 350 temporary toilets and the Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha set up 80 temporary toilets around the Mihintale sacred site.
Government hospitals, including the Old City Hospital were open for emergency treatment.
Sri Lanka Railways and Sri Lanka Transport Board provided more transport options.
The Ministry of Transport and Highways said 502 buses are available for pilgrims from June 2 to June 5 and the Sri Lanka Railways announced trains on June 2, 3 and 4.
The Adiwasi community also made donations to the Mihintale Poson Poya activities.
The secretary of the Public Health Inspectors Union, S. I. Bopitiyage told the Sunday Times, 14,250 dansal island-wide have registered. “This is double the number of dansal from Vesak this year, and is more than the dansal for Poson in previous years.’’
Mr. Bopitiyage attributes this to organisers registering with PHIs, due to health concerns.
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- Dambulla
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- Nuwara-Eliya
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- Ratnapura
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- Kandy
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- Diyathalawa
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- Hatton
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- State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe, Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundara, former Chief Minister Ranjith Samarakoon and Daily Lankadeepa Editor in Chief and Wijeya Newspapers Ltd Director Siri Ranasinghe were present during the Aloka Pooja held in Thanthirimale yesterday.
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- Galle
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- Kalaoya
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- Kandy
Pix by Kanchana Kumara, Nayanananda Buwaneka, Gamini Mahadura, Sudath Sellahewa, Jayarathna Wikramaarachchi, Morris Ratnayake, Sheltion Hettiarachchi, Apsara Wijesuriya, Rohana Chandrawansa and L.B.Senaratne
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