The government will lift restrictions on the use of fuel and electricity during Vesak festival week, the Prime Minister’s Office said following a planning meeting at Temple Trees on Wednesday.
The final coordination meeting on the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone was chaired by Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri. The discussions centred on the layout and security of the zone and on energy consumption arrangements during the festival period, the PM’s Office said.
Vesak, the most important festival in the Theravada Buddhist calendar, marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. This year’s full moon poya falls on May 23, with festival week scheduled May 27 to June 2.
The Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, told the meeting that “following the prevailing crisis, it has been decided to utilise fuel and electricity more economically this year compared to previous years.” He said arrangements within the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone would illuminate the festival’s spirit with minimal fuel and electricity expenditure, giving prominence to Prathipatti Pooja (offerings of practice) while creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere through Amisa Pooja. The Vesak Zone will be open daily from 7.00 p.m. to 12.30 a.m., the Thero said.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Tri-Forces, the Sri Lanka Police, the Civil Security Department, the Department of Prisons and officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Defence.
The lifting of restrictions is the second formal pre-festival relaxation this week, following the Education Ministry’s circular on school operating arrangements and public-holiday gazette confirmation.
Source: Ada Derana.
