A.S.M.JAVID
COLOMBO : The annual Vesak festival falls on Wednesday 26, full moon day in Sri Lanka. It is also an international day of Vesak recognized by the United Nations from 15 December 1999.
A glimpse round the city showed the Full Moon day is round the corner and people have to stay indoors due to the prevailing pandemic situation in the country. However, shops in Pettah shopping areas have started selling Vesak lanterns
Vesak is a time to be mesmerized by the beauty of the city. The glimpse of dazzling lights and the colourfully illuminated trees are truly a sight for sore eyes. Buddhists celebrate the birth , enlightenment and the passing of Lord Buddha during this cultural festival.
The Vesak rituals are celebrated throughout Buddhist countries, with one of the biggest being in the capital city of Sri Lanka.
The Government has requested the public to minimize visiting temples on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day this year and to commemorate this important day in accordance with the Amisa Pooja.
This request is being made to the public to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Therefore, the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera requests the public to limit the use of polythene and plastic decorations for houses and other premises during this Vesak period.
The Minister of Environment has requested a report from the Central Environmental Authority on the expenditure incurred on the annual consumption of polythene and plastic products in the country and the import of plastics and polythene products.
According to information released by the Central Environmental Authority, the country spends Rs. 58 billion annually on the importation of polythene and plastics.
