Duruthu Perahera to take place next week

The Annual Duruthu Perahera, that marks the religious significance of Lord Buddha’s visit to Kelaniya, will be held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya from January 9 to11.

The Perahera will begin at 8 p.m. with the handing over of the relic casket to the Chief Basnayake Nilame, Dhammika Attygalle by the Viharadhipathi, Ven Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayake Thera.

This year the perahera has been organised under the guidance of the Dayaka Sabha president Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In addition to the religious significance of the perahera, it also supports and revives our rich cultural tradition of drummers, dancers, singers and colourful parades.

Along with the main Sacred Relics Perahera there are three Devala Perahera’s dedicated to Lord Vibishana, Lord Vishnu and Lord Kataragama.

The Basnayake Nilames of the respective devala peraheras are Lalith Hapangama, Jayaraja Chandrasekera and Samantha Perera.

A special effort is being made this year to focus on tourists eager to acquaint themselves with the majesty and splendour of Sri Lanka’s cultural facets with the Tourist Board putting up a special enclosure for tourists.