State Vesak Festival 2016 in Hambantota

The State Vesak Festival- 2016 will be held from 18-24 May in Hambantota district centering around the Nayigala Rajamaha temple in Weeraketiya.

 The inauguration of the festival will be held on Wednesday (18th May) at the Kasagala Rajamaha Viharaya with the ordination of 35 at the temple premises. 

As scheduled, several religious programs will be held on 19th and 20th May at the Nayigala temple and the full day Sil campaign will be held on Vesak Poyaday (21st May). 

President Maithripala Sirisena will participate at the main function of the state festival, scheduled  to be held on Sunday (22nd May) at the Nayigala temple.

The President will grant financial provisions worth Rs. 29.1 millions for the temples and the Dhamma schools in the district at this occasion.  These provisions are provided by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana. The Ministry will also provide additional Rs. 9 millions for the development proceedings of the Nayigala Rajamaha temple. 

In addition, declaration of Nayigala temple as sacred, unveiling of a Vesak commemorative stamp, awarding of the housing deeds for the parents of the 35 numbers ordained, and granting of dry rations for 250 low-income families will also take place under the patronage of the President Sirisena. 

This will be the first time that a State Vesak Festival is to be held in the Southern Province. According to the Minster of Justice and Buddha Sasana Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, all infrastructure facilities will be provided for pilgrims who are visiting the State Vesak Festival.