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by ANJANA GAMAGE

The official Vesak celebrations this year will be based in Anuradhapura, Kandy and Colombo districts under the patronage of Thai Prime Minister Takshin Shrinawathra and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

This was disclosed by Minister Karu Jayasuriya and several other Ministers who have set up a National Organising Centre for Vesak celebrations.

The Thai Prime Minister who is expected to arrive here on May 14, together with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesignhe will declare open the second Ranweta of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, later in the day.

The Vesak celebrations this year will also mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Siyam Nikaya to which both chapters - Asgiriya and Malwatte Vihara belong.

Neranjan Wijeyeratne, Diyawadana Nilame of Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, said a special Upasampada Karma program is scheduled to be held at the Malwatu-Asgiri Upasikaramaya on May 15 Dalada Maligawa, with the participation of the chief incumbents of the two chapters and the Prime Ministers. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will also hand over a crown and a robe brought from Thailand, to the Malwatte Viharaya as a tribute to Buddhism in the country.

Concluding his official visit to Sri Lanka, the Thai Prime Minister will attend Vesak Celebrations in Colombo, on the 15 evening. Celebrating events organised by the government and private sector companies including colourful pandals, street lightening, Bakthi Gee programs presented by 750 schoolchildren with 20 eminent artistes and Vesak lantern competitions scheduled to be held along the Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Independence Square, Borella and Dharmapala Mawatha.

Minister of Justice, Law Reforms and National Integration, W. J. M. Lokubandara appealed to the clergy to go begging for alms from house to house, which will lead to the society having a good relationship with the clergy. He also stressed the importance of making Vesak lanterns by schoolchildren and displaying them at their houses, unlike buying it from vendors. He ordered all government and private institutions and houses to hoist Buddhist Flags during the Vesak season.

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