No place for discussions on stopping Perahera on political stage: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that discussions regarding the discontinuation of the ‘Perahera’ should never again arise on the country’s political stage.

The President made this observation during the presentation of the Esala Perahera scroll (Perahera Sandeshaya), certifying the successful conclusion of the annual Kandy Esala Maha Perahera, which was presented to him by the Diyawadana Nilame.

Recalling the indelible bond between the monarchy, the Sacred Tooth Relic, and the country’s cultural heritage, the President stated that it is by no means fair for anyone to exploit this historical heritage to satisfy political agendas or personal rivalries.

The scroll, certifying that the annual Esala Maha Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and the four Maha Devalayas was conducted and successfully concluded in accordance with ancient traditions, was presented by Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Pradeep Nilanga Dela to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake last afternoon (28) at the President’s House in Kandy.

Arriving at the President’s House in a procession, the Diyawadana Nilame, together with the Nilames of the four Maha Devalayas and the ‘Pitisara Devalayas’, presented the scroll to the President.

Following the presentation, the President and the Nilames posed for a group photograph. The President also presented awards and gifts to the artists who participated in the Perahera.

Financial assistance granted on behalf of the Pitisara Devalayas through the Esala Perahera Trust was presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The first copy of the book ‘Poojaneya Dalada Sanskruthiya’ (The Sacred Tooth Relic Culture), compiled by the Central Province Department of Cultural Affairs, was also presented to the President.

He expressed his gratitude to the Most Venerable Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters, as well as the Maha Sangha, for providing advice and guidance to ensure the success of the annual Kandy Esala Maha Perahera. He also expressed his appreciation to the Diyawadana Nilame, the Nilames of the four Maha Devalayas, State officials, artists, and all those who contributed to the event.

The President stated that the Perahera festivals held across the country, led by the Dalada Perahera, are vital to building the civilized society that the country aspires to create.

Furthermore, pointing out that the country requires a strong cultural revival backed by State patronage while preserving traditional arts associations, the President invited everyone to join in initiating an era of national renaissance based on a new system of social values to overcome the adverse conditions facing the nation.

He stressed that, in order to protect the country’s cultural heritage, pride, and organic connection with the soil, a decisive fight against the drug menace must be launched.

He added that, in today’s society, where wealth and power have become the primary measures of value, a new definition of values must be established, placing humanistic bonds, cultural heritage, enduring ties with history, and empathy at the centre of the country’s social values.