Vesak Festival 2025 Kicks Off Under Presidential Patronage
The State Vesak Festival for the Buddhist Year 2569 began today (10) at the International Buddhist Centre Temple in Nuwara Eliya, attended by the Most Venerable Maha Nayaka Theros of the Three Nikayas and President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This year’s State Vesak Festival, themed “Bhajetha Miththe Kalyane–Bhajetha Purisuththame” (Associate with noble friends of virtue), will take place from May 10 to 16, centered around the Nuwara Eliya District.
Guided by the Most Venerable Mahanayaka Theros and directed by the All Island Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, the festival is 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.
During ‘Vesak Week’ from May 10 to 16, numerous Buddhist religious programmes will be organized in alignment with government policy to enhance spiritual development. Additionally, ongoing temple development projects in the Nuwara Eliya District will be completed with tri-forces support.
Furthermore, under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, several special programmes are being rolled out to encourage spiritual growth and Buddhist awareness among the public alongside the State Vesak Festival.
Hosting this year’s State Vesak Festival in the multi-religious and multi-cultural Nuwara Eliya District is notably significant. It seeks to spread Buddhist enlightenment across the country and strengthen ties with Buddhist nations globally.
To commemorate the 2569th State Vesak Festival, a special stamp was released, with the first stamp being formally presented to the President.
The event also featured the presentation of ‘Sri Sannas Patra’ (official declarations) designating the historic Maliyadeva Purana Raja Maha Viharaya in Kotmale and the Sri Vishnu Devalaya in Kurunegala as religious worship sites, both formally handed over by the President.
The event was honored by prominent members of the Maha Sangha, including the Chief Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya, Chief Incumbent of the Somawathi Raja Maha Viharaya Most Venerable Dr. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thero, Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Maha Nikaya Anamaduwe Most Venerable Sri Dammadassi Nayaka Thero, alongside the Maha Sangha of the three Nikayas, the Chairman of the All Island Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, Most Venerable Professor Thubulle Seelakkhanda Nayaka Thera, Chief Registrar of Samastha Lanka Shasanarakshaka Balamandala, Venerable Muganuwala Anuruddha Nayaka Thera, along with the Maha Sangha of the Samastha Lanka Shasanarakshaka Balamandalaya.
Additionally present were multi-religious clergy, Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, other Ministers and MPs, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, senior government officials, foreign Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and a distinguished audience of local and international guests.
The State Vesak Festival for Buddhist Year 2569 began in Nuwara Eliya, attended by President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Venerable Maha Nayaka Theros. The theme is “Associate with noble friends of virtue,” celebrated from May 10-16. Organized under the guidance of the Maha Nayaka Theros, the festival includes various religious programs to promote spiritual growth. Development work at local temples and the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative are ongoing. Notably, the event supports Buddhist enlightenment and international ties. A commemorative stamp was issued, and the President presented religious site declarations. Attendees included multi-religious clergy, government officials, and international guests.
