“Diyawannawe Vesak Udanaya”, the annual event organised at the Hon. Speaker’s official residence and the Parliament premises to celebrate the thrice-blessed day of Vesak, was held this year too. These programmes, which were held giving prominence to principles (pratipatti pooja) were attended by many, including university students and schoolchildren.

The observation of Sil for devotees and the morning’s Buddha Pooja were conducted by Ven. Panditha Senarathpura Dhammalankara Thero, incumbent of Mayurapada Pirivena. Later, the serving of Morning Alms to devotees was conducted by the Parliament Staff Buddhist Society. The Dhamma sermon by Aggamahā Panditha Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thero was to follow. It was based on a Dhammapada stanza preached on the Nature of Mind. Afterwards, the meditation and Buddha Pooja were conducted by Ven. Rajakeeya Panditha Karawilakotuwe Dhammathilaka Thero. Midday Alms for the devotees were offered by the Kotte Municipal Council under the patronage of Foreign Minister Mr. Rohitha Bogollagama. After the Midday Alms, a chanting of Dhammapada conducted by Ven. Karawilakotuwe Dhammathilaka Thero was held. Here, the meanings of stanzas from the yamaka vagga were elucidated.

Later, the university students left to the Parliament premises in order to participate in the ‘workshop on moral values’. There, they participated in meditation programmes, Dhamma discussions, speeches, etc. Meanwhile, the Poya Day Dhamma programme “ Dinuwanam Delowama Dinuwamaya” of the Commercial Service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation was aired at the Speaker’s official residence. Next to commence was the “Doramandalawa” Dhamma discussion programme. Its erudite panel comprised of Ven. Dewalegama Medhananda Thero, Professor Sumanapala Galmangoda and the Hon. Speaker, while time was allotted for questions raised by devotees who were gathered. This programme was recorded and televised over the Independent Television Network the next day.

The devotees, after conducting the evening’s Gilanpasa Buddha Pooja opposite the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at the Speaker’s residence, arrived at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at the Parliament premises in a ‘Sakman Bhawana’ reciting the ‘Pattana’. Thereafter the completion of Sil and Bodhi Pooja were conducted by Ven. Karawilakotuwe Dhammathilaka Thero.