“Wesak Mal Dansala” (Free distribution of Flowers at “Wesak” - 2008)

“Wesak is an important festival of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. This co-memorative festival of Buddhism emphasizes the virtue of generosity as very meritorious. The pilgrims to temples on that day are provided freely food and drink. It is also customary to supply flowers for their offerings at the temples and shrines.

In the year 2008 – the festival of Wesak was observe on 19th May – Buddhist devotees visit temples to observe religious rites. The Temple of tooth is the main place of Buddhist Worship in Kandy.

‘SETIK” implemented a programme to provide free supply of flowers to the worshippers coming to the temple of the tooth. At the “SETIK” flower distribution stall flowers were distributed from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. on 19th May. A very special feature of this programme was that about 8000 White Lotus flowers were freely distributed to about 3000 worshipper to offer during the main morning offerings.

This programme was made possible through the generosity of the “SETIK” together with the co-operation of animators and peoples’ leaders of village and plantations where “SETIK” programmes are implemented. Irrespective race and religions all participated to make this programme successful. The pilgrims to the Temple appreciated the service tendered generously by an inter-faith group of “SETIK” Organization. Through this programme a very valuable message of peace, harmony and brotherhood was given to all people on this important Buddhist festival.

An Inter Religious Celebration of Sinhala & Hindu New Year

The celebration of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year 2008 was organized by “SETIK” with all the grass-root level groups from the fields where “Setik” programmes are implemented. The celebrations were held on 18th April 2008 at the public ground of Rattota, Matale district, Central Proince. Over 400 peple actively participated in the programme, enabling us to realize our main objective of this programme - which was to build cordial relationship of inter-ethnic groups.

The celebrations commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Rev. Fr. George Sigamoney - Director JPHDHR Secretariat and the flags of the four main religious by respective religious leaders.

This was followed by a series of about 20 traditional games in which all participated joyfully - children, women and men. The winners were awarded and the programme concluded with the national anthem.

All participants enjoyed themselves and our objective of promoting inter religious harmony and inter ethnic cordiality was realized to a good extent.