A discussion on the organisation of the annual Esala Maha Perahera of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya and the provision of sponsorship was held yesterday (29) at the Presidential Secretariat, under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The 76th Esala Maha Perahera of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya will be held from 25 July to 16 August.
During the discussion, attention was drawn to conducting this year’s Esala Maha Perahera of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, one of the foremost perahera festivals in the country, held after the Dalada Perahera, with state support. Accordingly, it was decided to obtain 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 the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
The Chief Incumbent of Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thera, the Viharadhikari Venerable Bellanwila Sangharathana Thera, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairman of the Perahera Committee 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 were among those present at the occasion.
