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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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Vesak celebrations on grand scale in Kandy town by JAYAMPATHY JAYASINGHE The government has decided to celebrate Vesak on a grand scale this year in Kandy town where large crowds are expected, Tourism Minister Gamini Lokuge said at a media briefing last week at his ministry. "We hope to revive the traditional Buddhist ties between Thailand and Sri Lanka. This is not a commercial operation as such, but to show the significance of Vesak to foreigners. Those who want to know about Vesak should visit Sri Lanka during this period." the Minister said. Vesak celebrations have been organised by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Buddha Sasana. The Minister said that the Thailand Prime Minister and his entourage are expected to visit Kandy from May 14-18. A large number of foreign and local tourists from several Buddhist countries are also due here during this period. The Sri Lanka Tourist Board Chairman, Paddy Withana, said that several travel writers from India, Japan, France, Italy and Thailand have been invited by the government to cover the celebrations in a bid to promote Sri Lanka's image abroad. A special Vesak card and several brochures on the significance of the event will be distributed among foreigners. Lokuge said that arrangements have been made with hotels in Kandy to provide tourists with sufficient information to acquaint themselves with Buddhist rituals and customs. Tourists would even be taken to temples where religious observances and rituals were performed so that they could get first-hand information on the importance of this historic event. Secretary Ministry of Tourism Dr. S. Ramanujam said that officials of several provincial councils have been invited to organise a Vesak lantern contest and Bakthi Gee programme. The Vesak celebrations will coincide with the 250th anniversary of Siam (Thailand) Upasampada Chapter. A Vesak lantern competition has been organised along with the Sri Lanka Thailand "Daham Res" exhibition by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. The winner of the Vesak lantern contest will receive a cash prize of Rs. 75,000 and the second and the third Rs. 50,000, and 15,000 respectively.Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, George Michael, said that around 200,000 -300,000 visitors including Thai Buddhist priests and tourists are expected and they would have the opportunity to view the celebrations and "Upasampada" exhibition from May 14-18. The exhibition will depict the renaissance of Buddhism and the rich Buddhist culture and heritage, he said. |
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