The government has agreed to the request made by the Chief Prelates of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters to declare Vesak Poya on May 30 this year.
Professor Chandana Abeyratne, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, informed the Chief prelates that Vesak Poya will be observed on May 30, and that the State Vesak Festival will also be held on that day.
Earlier, the Poya Committee had announced that the full moon Poya day would fall on May 1. However, as that day does not fall on the “Visa Nekatha,” there was strong opinion that the full moon Poya Day, which falls on May 30, should be declared as Vesak Poya instead.
Accordingly, the Mahanayake Theros requested the Minister and the government to designate May 30 as Vesak Poya Day. Venerable Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada, also stated that this Poya Day would mark the end of the Sri Pada pilgrimage season.
In line with these views, the government has now decided, at a recent meeting of the Poya Committee, to change the Vesak Poya Day and officially declare May 30 as Vesak Poya this year.
