State Poson festival from June 07 to 13

By B.G.Chaturanga   

The State Poson Festival Committee met on Wednesday (15)  at the Anuradhapura District Secretariat. Under the co-chairmanship of  District Secretary K.G.R.Wimalasuriya and Deputy Minister of Irrigation  Dr. Susil Ranasinghe. The Poson Week will be held from June 07 to 13.     

The Poson festival in Anuradhapura will be organised under  the guidance of Anuradhapura Atamasthanadipathi, Chief Sanghanayake of  Nuwara Kalaviya of the Malwatta Chapter Ven. Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana  Thera.   

The Poson festival programme taken up at the meeting  included the all night Pirith chanting ceremony at Ruwanweliseya, Bhathi  Gee recitals, decorating the Sacred City, supply of water, electricity  and other facilities to the pilgrims, closure of slaughter houses, meat  stalls and liquor shops, prevention of accidents and fumigation to  prevent any possible danger of Dengue.  

Senior police officials pointed out the need to have  supervision over the Danselas and to implement a traffic plan to prevent  congestion on roads.   

The committee focused attention on operating a free train service between Anuradhapura and Mihintale. 

The District Secretary said he expected the cooperation of  all state and non-governmental organisations in the district to  organise the festival. He pointed out that the use of bottled water  could be minimised if the National Water Supply and Drainage Board  guaranteed a supply of water. He said the Clean Sri Lanka Programme has  consented to implement a plan for garbage management.   

Addl. District Secretary Sandya Abeysekara, Asst. District  Secretary Suwantha Yasaratne, and several senior officials, including  the Divisional Secretaries attended the meeting.