All arrangements are in place for the Special Exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy begins tomorrow. The Exposition, the first in 16 years, will be held till April 27.
The Exposition will be open to the public on Friday, April 18 (a public holiday) from 3 pm. to 5.30 pm., and from April 19 to 27, daily from 12 pm. to 5.30 p.m. The public will be admitted from three queues, two from around the Nuwara Wewa and one from D. S. Senanayake Veediya.
Asgiri Deputy Registrar Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Nayaka Thera and Malwathu Deputy Registrar Ven. Mahawela Rathanapala Nayaka Thera requested Buddhists to make use of this rare opportunity.
They said food would be provided to the people in the queues at night. Parallel to the event, the public will be educated on the history of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the traditional Poojas associated with it.
Monks would be allocated a special gate to enter the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises, adding that all of them would be provided with alms if they come before noon.
Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Dr.Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said a large crowd is expected at the sacred veneration of the Tooth Relic of the Buddha that has been organised on a request of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Kandy Additional District Secretary E.R.L.B.Etampawala said 31 public institutions will provide their services for the event, including the Presidential Secretariat and Tri-Forces personnel.
“Clean drinking water, toilet facilities, waste disposal bins, phone charging facilities, first-aid, special lighting and vehicle parking facilities have been arranged in the area for the convenience of the devotees. Special public transport services will be provided to and from Kandy and within the Kandy city limits, and if those with special needs require staying for the night, they can go to either Keppetipola or Vivekananda Colleges in Kandy,” he said.
The public is requested to avoid unnecessary baggage and switch off their mobile phones at the point of the final security check. Three counters have been arranged for the public to keep their bags and footwear.
Kandy Municipal Council Commissioner Indika Kumari Abeysinghe said that all dansals and street vendors in the area are being registered. The street vendors are issued an identity card with a QR code and any unregistered street vendor will be removed by the Police.
Police Superintendent D.C.D.Ilangakoon said a special traffic plan and security arrangements would be in place throughout the event. He urged those travelling to Kandy for other purposes during this period to be aware of the traffic plans and restrictions, which will be published in all newspapers and over TV channels.
