The traditional ‘Sannasa’ (scroll) marking the successful conclusion of the annual Esala Maha Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Sathara Maha Devala (The Four Chief Shrines) was formally presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake by Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela at the President’s House in Kandy this afternoon (28).
Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, accompanied by the Nilames of the Sathara Maha Devala, arrived at the President’s House in a ceremonial procession and formally presented the ‘Sannasa’ to the President in accordance with the tradition.
Following the presentation, the President and the Nilames posed for a traditional group photograph. The President also presented gifts and awards to the artists who participated in the Perahera.
Financial assistance provided by the ‘Esala Perahera Trust’ to the ‘Pitisara Devala’ was also presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In addition, the first copy of “Pujaniya Dalada Sanskruthiya”, a publication compiled by the Central Provincial Department of Cultural Affairs, was presented to the President.
President Dissanayake also expressed his gratitude to the Mahanayake Theros of Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters and the Maha Sangha for their guidance and advice in ensuring the success of the annual Kandy Esala Perahera. The President also thanked Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the Nilames of the Sathara Maha Devala, public officials, artists and all others who contributed to the successful conduct of the Perahera.
The President noted that the Perahera festivals held across the country, with the Sri Dalada Perahera at their centre, play an important role in building the civilised society that the country aspires to create. He further emphasised the need for a strong cultural revival supported by the State, while safeguarding traditional artistic associations. The President invited everyone to join in ushering in a new era of national renaissance that would revitalise the nation and enable the country to overcome the adverse circumstances it faces.
Recalling the inseparable historical bond between the institution of the State and the Sacred Tooth Relic, as well as the country’s cultural heritage, President Dissanayake stressed that it was wholly inappropriate for anyone to use this historic heritage for political purposes, to settle personal or political disputes, or to express political confrontations. He emphasised that there should never again be any discussion on a political platform about discontinuing the Perahera.
The President also stressed that the country must wage a determined battle against the scourge of drugs in order to safeguard its cultural heritage, national pride and organic connection with the land. He said that, in a society where wealth and power have increasingly become dominant measures of value, there was a need to redefine social values. Human bonds based on mutual respect, cultural heritage, an inseparable connection with history and empathy, he said, must become the new values of society.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake further stated:
“This is a very significant occasion for us as a nation. The Perahera has been conducted with great pride since the Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Kithsiri Mewan in the Anuradhapura era. Once again this year, hundreds of thousands of people have participated in this great cultural and religious festival.
The reason this Dalada festival has continued uninterrupted for centuries is that it embodies the faith of our Buddhist people, as well as the culture and pride of our nation. At the same time, the Sacred Tooth Relic has become part of the heritage of our State. Our country has faced periods of drought and famine. On every such occasion, our ancient kings and ancestors assumed the responsibility of protecting the Sacred Tooth Relic. Therefore, we have a long history of an inseparable bond between the institution of the State and the Sacred Tooth Relic.
To abandon this Perahera would be to undermine the conscience, spiritual heritage and very vitality of our nation. During the recent past, there were discussions on political platforms about banning the Perahera. Such statements represent an extremely destructive form of politics. They demonstrate an attempt to undermine the spiritual foundation of our nation and destroy the foundations of our culture. Even the suggestion that there could be an attempt to ban this Perahera is deeply destructive. It is not an issue that should ever be brought into debate or discussion on a political platform. This historic festival and the political arena are worlds apart.
“Therefore, it is wholly unjustifiable for anyone to use this historic heritage on a political platform to settle disputes or express political conflicts. There should never again be any discussion on a political platform in this country about stopping the Perahera. No one should make statements that seek to undermine the spiritual foundations of our nation or destroy its historic cultural heritage, pride and identity.
A large number of young people are also participating in this Perahera. We face a serious challenge and concern over whether we will be able to safeguard the wellbeing of our society. Yet, when we observe the Perahera, we can see that there is a large generation of young people in our country capable of moving forward while preserving the foundations of this historic heritage.
I believe that every ministry and institution should establish a cultural society or group and that these groups should participate in the country’s cultural events. While safeguarding traditional artistic associations, we must go beyond that and create a strong cultural revival with State patronage.
Today, our nation is increasingly falling victim to the scourge of drugs that has spread into villages and communities. If this continues for another two or three decades, all social institutions will be undermined. We are facing a challenge that could erode the social foundations of our country. If we are to safeguard our cultural heritage, national pride and organic connection with the land, we must undoubtedly wage a determined battle against the scourge of drugs. It is not enough merely to combat drugs, we must also guide our younger generation towards a new and inspiring social environment. In this regard, the Perahera festivals held throughout the country, with the Dalada Perahera at their centre, have an important role to play.
We must introduce new values to parents and to society as a whole. If we ask what values dominate society today, wealth and power have increasingly become the measures of value. We must therefore redefine our values and establish them on a new foundation. Human bonds based on mutual respect, our cultural heritage, our inseparable connection with history and empathy must become the new values of society. Without such a transformation, we cannot build a developed country.
Therefore, this Perahera is not merely a ceremonial spectacle. It reflects an important set of values for our society. Let us begin a new era that will revitalise the nation and lead us towards a new renaissance, enabling us to overcome the destructive circumstances we face as a nation. Otherwise, we risk creating an era in which everything is destroyed before our eyes.
Today, our environment is being degraded as a result of the harmful consequences of human activity. As a nation, we are capable of withstanding natural disasters. However, natural disasters become far more devastating as a result of human activity. The relationship between people and the environment must therefore be strengthened. Society as a whole has now reached a point where we must look back and reflect on the path we have taken. We must end the era of moving forward blindly. We must all reflect on the past and swiftly make the changes that are necessary. We must examine what happened in the past, preserve what was good and intervene without hesitation to change what was harmful. I invite everyone to join in fulfilling this responsibility.”
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena, Central Province Governor Dr. Harsha Suranga, Members of Parliament, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta, senior public officials, representatives of the security forces and other invitees attended the occasion.
