State Poson Festival inaugurated with the participation of the President

The State Poson Festival was held yesterday (24) at the historic Mihintale Shrine with the participation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The theme of this year's Poson Poya, which marks the 2329th anniversary of the visit of Arahant Mahinda Thero to Sri Lanka, is "May everyone in the world be healed". During the Poson week from 21st to 27th, various religious activities including Rathana Sutta sermon, Dhamma sermons and Dhamma discussions will be held at the Mihintale sacred area.

The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Walawahangunawewe Dhammaratana Nayaka Thero delivered the discourse on the Poson State Festival.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inaugurated the Mihintale ‘Aloka Pooja’ organised to coincide with the Poson State Festival.

The event was co-sponsored by the Associated Newspapers Ltd. (Lake House) and the Ceylon Electricity Board for the 59th time.

The President also unveiled a 3D reconstruction of the Mihintale Sacred Area created by SLT - Mobitel. Log on to poson.sltmobitel.lk to view the Mihintale Sacred Area.

Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Keheliya Rambukwella, SM Chandrasena, Governor of the North Central Province Mahipala Herath, Ministers of State Duminda Dissanayake, Shehan Semasinghe, Members of Parliament Uddika Premaratne, K. P. S. Kumarasiri, Secretaries to Ministries and Heads of Institutions were also present at the occasion.

The ceremony was organised in accordance with the health instructions.

(Pix by Sagara Lakmal de Mel - Presidential Media Unit)