Grand Vesak celebrations despite adverse weather

TELRADIO:MAY 24 – Despite the adverse weather causing wide spread destruction and inconvenience to the public preparations are underway for a grand Vesak Celebration throughout the country later this week.
Pendals , Vesak decorations and competitions to mark the event are already coming up while the state Vesak festival was due to be declared open at the Mahiyanganaya Raja Maha Viharaya on Monday.
In the north central province arrangements have been put in place to accommodate a large number of pilgrims from the south of the country in view of the peaceful atmosphere prevailing following the end of the war last year.
Police and the army have put into place security arrangements for the Vesak season.
In Colombo for the first time a businessman has come forward to put up a double-decker bus for Vesak sight-seers.
“We are planning to charge Rs. 950 for the two and half visit on the Vesak days later in the week covering all the Pendals and the Vesak decorations in the city”,  a spokesman for the organization said.
The government as well as other organizations have organized Vesak related competitions including awards for the best Vesak lanterns which will be on display.
The government has urged people to hoist the Buddhist flag and decorate the buildings to mark the event.