Govt. says Vesak Poya day was determined by Mahanayake Theras

Colombo, May 4 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of certain people including some Buddhist monks raising concerns over changing the date of Vesak, the government yesterday reiterated that Vesak Poya was rescheduled for May 30 on the request of the Mahanayake Theras.

The Ministry of Buddhist Affairs said that Mahanayake Theras of the three chapters had requested in writing from the President on December 20, 2025 that the Vesak Poya should fall on May 30 as Visa Nekatha must also fall on the Day of Vesak.

The Ministry said the matter was further discussed at the All-Island Buddha Sasana Council (Samastha Lanka Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya) on January 1, 2026 and reaffirmed that Vesak Poya must fall on May 30 and Vesak Week must be declared from May 27 to June 2.

It also said that a joint Cabinet paper presented on March 16, 2026 by Ministry of Buddhist Affairs and Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government on the change of Vesak day for May 30 was approved by the Cabinet on March 30, 2026.

However, the Deputy Chief Prelate and the Chief Secretary of the Kotte Sri Kalyāni Sāmagridharma Mahāsaṇghasabhā, Most Venerable Kotapitiye Rahula Anunāyaka Thera recently alleged that the date of the Vesak Poya has been altered due to political motives.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe also had claimed that Vesak Poya must fall on May 1 as per the UN charter.

May 1 was declared as the International Day of Vesak by the United Nations.