8 March 2019 12:17 am
By Mahesh Keerthirathne
With the expectation of getting Tripitaka, the volume containing the entire Buddhist discourse, being declared a World Heritage, the government has declared the week from March 16-23 as the “Tripitakabhiwandana”.
During this period, all Buddhist vihares, schools, daham pasals and state institutions will line up to conduct special programmes with the participation of all citizens. It has been planned to fly the Buddhist flag in the villages and in towns.
From March 16 to 23, it has been decided to conduct “Sabda Pooja” every evening from 6.00 to 6.15 pm. On 16, there will be Pindapata or begging for alms, on 17 to create awareness among the students of the daham pasalas. On March 18, creating awareness among schoolchildren and students of Pirivenas on Tripitaka, on March 19, to conduct programmes in private sector institutions. On March 20 Poya Day, several programmes will be conducted in Temples, on March 21 conduct several awareness programmes in Temples, on March 22, awareness programme for the state officials and administering of the oath.
On the final day, March 23, the National Festival will be conducted under the Patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Maha Maluwa of the Dalada Maligawa with the participation of 5000 Buddhist monks gathered from all parts of the island.
Tripitakaya was declared a National Heritage at a function held recently at Aluvihare in Matale by the President.
These details of the planned programme for this special event were disclosed at the Matale District Tripitakabhivandana programme held under the patronage of Matale District Secretary S.M.K.G. Perera at the District Secretariat.
During this period, all Buddhist vihares, schools, daham pasals and state institutions will line up to conduct special programmes with the participation of all citizens