High costs dampen Vesak celebrations

Commemorating Vesak this year has been hard hit by electricity costs and soaring prices hikes resulting in pruning down the number of Vesak pandals and decorations as well as Dansals in Colombo, organizers said.

Most of the decorations to be seen were organized by the police and security forces as private parties were not willing to erect Vesak pandals at sites they are normally seen in Colombo, they said.

Several programmes planned in the Metropolis beginning from May 3 to May 6 to celebrate the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival were succesfully concluded. The events were held at Galle Face Green, Shangri-La Green, and Presidential Secretariat premises

A Bakthi Geetha recital took place on the steps of the Presidential Secretariat on May 3 and 4 and President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the event. The same recital was scheduled to be held at the same location on May 4.

A stage built on the Shangri-La green grounds was used for distributing school supplies to 40 novice monks and 1,200 school children on May 5.At 7.00 pm at the same venue, the Maha Karuna Buddhist Association of Singapore and Willing Hearts Foundation of Singapore were due to hold a Rice Dansala on May 5 and 6.

The Sri Lanka Navy, Civil Security Department, Youth Service Council, and Sri Lanka Army were due to hold Bakthi Geetha recitals and light Vesak illuminations at the stage built on the Shangri-La Green on May 5, Vesak day.

Police spokesman, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said on Friday that police would strictly enforce traffic laws during the Vesak period. He added that in recent years, motorists expected leniency from the police during festive seasons.

“Although only two people can ride a motorbike, we see several people on bikes coming into Vesak zones. They often drive recklessly. It’s the same with three wheelers. Five- six people travel in them. We will fine them and take legal action against such individuals this time,” he said.

He said that young people are seen wearing Guy Fawkes masks and they annoy and disturb others who have come to enjoy Vesak.

“Also, we would like to ask motorists not to park their vehicles in a way that obstructs the roads. Don’t park on pavements and don’t park in any way that bothers others. We will tow your vehicles away,” he warned.