State support sought for 76th Bellanwila Esala maha perahera

Colombo, April 30 (Daily Mirror) - A discussion on organising the annual Esala Maha Perahera of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya and securing sponsorship was held yesterday (29) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

They said the 76th Esala Maha Perahera of the historic temple is scheduled to be held from July 25 to August 16.

During the meeting, attention focused on conducting this year’s perahera, regarded as one of the country’s foremost religious pageants after the Kandy Esala Perahera with state support.

It was decided to seek financial assistance, subject to the approval of the General Treasury, from several state institutions including the Department of Public Trustee, Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, National Savings Bank, Development Lotteries Board, National Lotteries Board, Sri Lanka Telecom, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd, and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

Among those present were Chief Incumbent Venerable Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thera, Viharadhikari Venerable Bellanwila Sangharathana Thera, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Perahera Committee Chairman H.D. Premasiri, Secretary Kesara Lal Gunasekara, Treasurer Kingsley Kumara, Chairman of the Kesbewa Urban Council Chamara Maddumakaluge, Chairman of the Boralesgamuwa Urban Council Nishantha Wedamulla, and representatives of several sponsoring state institutions.