WEB DESK
As Buddhists worldwide observe Buddha Purnima, Sri Lanka is observing Vesak Full Moon Poya Day today to commemorate three significant events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama, his birth, enlightenment, and passing away. Sri Lankan Buddhists are especially joyful this year since they were unable to celebrate the festival for the past few years due to the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and the economic crisis last year.
Buddhist devotees in Sri Lanka celebrate Vesak by conducting religious ceremonies and organizing various Aamisa and Prathipaththi poojas, including pandals, lanterns, and dansals. Vesak zones have been established in several locations, such as Thotalanga, Kiribathgoda, Kelaniya, Maharagama, Kottawa, and Rajagiriya. The Bauddhaloka and Gangarama Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zones will be held for several days, while the State Vesak Festival will take place in Puttalam District.
Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that this year’s Vesak festival will be celebrated on a grand scale both nationally and locally. Accordingly lakhs of lanterns adorn the streets of Sri Lanka.