Dinamina Vesak Kalapaya: Dinamina Vesak Annual - values in times of conflict

Editor - Dr. Ranjith L. Abeywickrama

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd.

Price Rs.60

Reviewed by Professor J. Thilakasiri

The above Annual, published by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, Ltd., was officially released at a ceremony held at the Sambuddhaloka Buddhist Temple (Fort) on May 2nd.

As usual the well-organised ceremony had as the Venerable Guest of Honour, the Venerable Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma, the Chancellor of the Kelaniya University, the Director of the Vidyalankara (Peliyagoda) Pirivena, who is also the Principal Dignitary of the Colombo and Chilaw Districts.

Venerable Professor Dhammavihari and other special invitees, from the Temple', also were present on the occasion.

The Hon. Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhana, also a special invitee graced the occasion and addressed the gathering, commenting on the service rendered by the ANCL institution, its founders led by Mr. D. R. Wijewardene and the family in contributing to the development of not only the Press (with its several publications) but the spread and promotion of Buddhist teaching and the Dharma through the issue of the "Annual" on the eve of Vesak.

Venerable Kusaladhamma made a very instructive and topical presentation on the importance of the occasion, emphasising the service rendered by the Wijewardene family for the propagation of Buddhism, its culture and ways of life to develop an ethical and harmonious relationship among the communities during the last 50 years.

Ven. Dhammavihari, too, made pointed reference to the necessity of following Buddhist principles and righteous conduct even in times of strain and conflict now prevailing.

Dr. Ranjith Abywickrema, the Editor of the Annual, who had organised and obtained the support of leading scholars and venerable monks to bring out a comprehensive survey of Buddhism covering many aspects of its growth, briefly introduced the issue.