The National Poson Week themed “May all beings be free from suffering” (Lova sema dena suvapath vethva) commences today and continues till June 27.

The State Poson Ceremony will be held with the guidance of the Mahanayake Theras and the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa adhering to the health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Mihintale Lake House Aloka Pooja sponsored by Dialog and in collaboration with the CEB will be held from June 23 to 25.

The Mahanayake Theras will deliver their blessings for the Aloka Pooja programme through Zoom. Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Incumbent Ven Dr.Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera requested the faithful to hoist a Buddhist flag at home and conduct pooja for Arahat Mahinda Thera while being at home as devotees cannot visit the Mihintale Sacred Premises to worship this year.

He observed about two million people had annually worshipped at the Mihintale sacred premises during the Poson week in previous years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was speaking to the media at the temple premises on Friday to brief on the preparations for the State Poson Ceremony. During the Poson Week, a series of religious activities have been planned including the chanting of Rathna Sutta, Dhamma sermons and Dhamma discussions. He said unlike the previous years where the Poson was celebrated in a festival mood, this year’s Poson Ceremony would give priority for “Prathipaththi Pooja ‘’.