State Vesak Festival 2025 Begins in Nuwara Eliya Under Presidential Patronage

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka – 10 May 2025: The State Vesak Festival for the Buddhist year 2569 commenced today at the International Buddhist Centre Temple in Nuwara Eliya under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the guidance of the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Theros of the three Nikayas.

Held under the theme “Bhajetha Miththe Kalyane – Bhajetha Purisuththame” (Associate with noble friends of virtue), the 2025 State Vesak Festival will be conducted from May 10 to 16 across the Nuwara Eliya District. The event is organized in line with the guidance of the All Island Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya and coordinated by the Presidential Secretariat, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Buddhist Affairs, the Central Provincial Council, and the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat.

A series of religious and spiritual programmes have been planned for Vesak Week, with a focus on enhancing public mindfulness and promoting spiritual development. Ongoing development work at several temples in the Nuwara Eliya District will also be completed with the support of the tri-forces during this period.

In parallel, a special “Clean Sri Lanka” campaign is being implemented to promote environmental cleanliness and spiritual awareness. Hosting the national Vesak celebrations in the multi-religious and multi-ethnic Nuwara Eliya District underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to religious harmony and cultural unity while fostering ties with Buddhist countries globally.

To mark the occasion, a commemorative stamp was issued, with the first copy officially presented to the President. The event also included the formal presentation of ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ (official declarations), naming the historic Maliyadeva Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Kotmale and the Sri Vishnu Devalaya in Kurunegala as designated religious worship sites.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent members of the Maha Sangha, including the Most Venerable Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter Most Venerable Sri Dammadassi Nayaka Thero, and other senior monks representing the three Nikayas. Also present were multi-religious clergy, Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, Minister of Buddhasasana Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, government officials, diplomats, and distinguished guests from Sri Lanka and abroad.

The week-long festival is expected to draw large numbers of devotees and visitors from across the country, reinforcing the importance of Vesak as a symbol of peace, enlightenment, and national unity.