Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya joined devotees at the annual Aadi Vel Festival procession of the New Kathiresan Kovil in Colombo on Tuesday (July 28).
The Prime Minister offered a pooja tray to the sacred silver chariot carrying Lord Murugan as it moved through the streets, taking part in the religious observances on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office. She was escorted from Temple Trees to the Vel chariot accompanied by a traditional drum performance, and received blessings after making the offering.
Following the ceremony, the organising committee of the Vel procession presented the Prime Minister with a floral garland and a ceremonial shawl in appreciation, Ada Derana reported.
The Aadi Vel Festival and chariot procession is organised jointly by the New Kathiresan Kovil in Pettah and the Nattukkottai Nagarathar New Kathiresan Kovil in Bambalapitiya. The procession has been held without interruption since 1874 and reached its 152nd year in 2026.
The Police Media Division had advised motorists ahead of the festival to use alternative routes on July 28 and July 31, Hiru News reported. The chariot set out from the Sea Street kovil in Pettah at 7.30 a.m. on Tuesday and was scheduled to reach Bambalapitiya by 8.30 p.m., travelling via Gas Works roundabout, Main Street, York Street, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Galle Face and Galle Road. The return procession to Pettah is due on Friday (July 31).
The Vel festival honours Lord Murugan, the Hindu deity of war, and is among the most significant events in the calendar of Sri Lanka’s Tamil Hindu community. The silver chariot bearing the god’s vel — the sacred lance — is drawn along the Colombo seafront between the two Kathiresan kovils, drawing large crowds of devotees along the route each year.
