State Vesak Festival- 2016 will be held from 18th to 24th May in Hambantota district 

centering the Nayigala Rajamaha temple in Weeraketiya.

The inauguration of the festival will be held on Wednesday (18th May) at the Kasagala
Rajamaha Viharaya with the ordination of 35 laymen at the temple premises.

As scheduled, several religious programs will be held on 19th and 20th May at the
Nayigala temple and the full day Sil campaign will be on the Vesak Poyaday (21st May).

President Maithripala Sirisena will participate the main function of the state festival
to be held on Sunday (22nd May) at the Nayigala temple.

The President will grant financial provisions worth Rs. 29.1 millions for the temples
and the Dhamma schools in the district at this occasion. These provisions are provided
by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana. The Ministry will also provide additional Rs.
9 millions for the development proceedings of the Nayigala Rajamaha temple.

In addition, declaring the Nayigala temple as a sacred place, unveiling a
Vesak commemorative stamp, awarding the housing deeds for the parents of the
ordained 35 laymen, and granting dry rations for 250 low-income families will
also take place under the patronage of the President Sirisena.

This will be the first time that a State Vesak Festival is to be held in Southern
Province. According to the Minster of Justice and Buddha Sasana Wijayadasa Rajapakshe,
all the infrastructure facilities will be provided for the pilgrims, who are visiting
the State Vesak Festival.