ANCL starts Amadahara on May 1

by Ananda Kannangara

The "Amadahara Vesak Zone", conducted by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (Lake House) to coincide with the 2551st Buddha Jayanthi festival will be held in the city of Colombo from May 1-3 commencing at 6.30 p.m. each day. A leading electrical equipment manufacturer, Orange Electrical will sponsor the program.

According to the programme, the `Amadahara Vesak Zone', will cover the areas surrounding the Sambuddhaloka Temple, Fort, Lake House roundabout, D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha, Fort, Pettah, Presidential Secretariat, Lotus Road and Slave Island areas will be decorated with pandals, lanterns, Buddhist flags and Illuminations during this three-day period.

Leading public and private sector institutions, including the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sri Lanka Telecom, Postal Department, National Housing Authority, Mackie and Company, Inland Revenue Department, Fort Police Station, Sri Lanka Air Force and some State and private sector bankers will assist Lake House to conduct the program.

In a special discussion held on Friday, ANCL Chairman, Attorney-at-Law Sarath Kongahage said many voluntary organisations, Buddhist societies and Buddhist temples in Colombo have also extended their co-operation to make the event a success. During this period, Vesak lantern competitions, Bakthi Gee programs and stage dramas will be conducted by the Lake House Buddhist Society and several other Buddhist organisations. In addition 'Dan Salas' will offer food, drinks and ice cream to Vesak sight-seers.

The Independent Television Network and Lakhanda Radio will beam special broadcasts on the proceedings of the "Amadahara Vesak Program".

The ANCL will also issue the "Dinamina Vesak Magazine" in Sinhala and English and a special publication of the `Budusarana' newspaper to coincide with the "Amadahara Program".