Jaffna Vesak Zone attracts thousands

A massive crowd of tens and thousands flocked to witness the Jaffna Vesak Zone on its first day on May 27.

People in Jaffna (Yalpanam) as well as visitors from various parts of the country to the peninsula irrespective of their ethnicity and religion walked along the illuminated roads in the Vesak Zone admiring hundreds of Vesak lanterns and other decorations showing up after and absence of nearly 30 years. All these decorations of magnificent designs were prepared by the members of the Army serving in Jaffna. Among a record crowd of about 150,000 on its first day, the majority were youngsters who have never seen a celebration of this nature.
The model of Sri Pada where Lord Buddha’s footprint is worshipped, the hell, ghost house, large Dansala which accommodates over 200 persons at a stretch and erections depicting various stories about Lord Buddha’s life were the main attractions for the visitors. It was for the first time in contemporary history that Tamil school students from leading schools in the area joined the devotional song recital depicting a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation.
Commander Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna (SF-J) Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, accompanied by a team of distinguished guests including Chief Incumbent of Jaffna Naga Vihara Ven. Meegahajandure Gnanarathana Thero, Vicar General Jaffna Rev. Fr. Dr. Justin B. Gnanaprgasam, Government Agent K. Ganesh, Vice Chancellor University of Jaffna Professor N. Shanmugalingam and senior Army and Police officers, declared open the Vesak Zone the first day. The grand Vesak show was organized on the directions given by Major General Hathurusinghe. It will continue today as well.
source army.lk