2008/05/20

ANCL Vesak Zone a huge draw

Shirley WIJESINGHE

COLOMBO: The Amadahara Vesak Sadaham Kalapaya (Vesak Zone) organised by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (Lake House) and sponsored by Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd. was declared open yesterday evening by ANCL Chairman Bandula Padmakumara and Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd. Deputy Chairman Mohan Pandithage.

The Amadahara Vesak Zone was a riot of illumination and colour that covered the area of D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Chittampalam. A. Gardiner Mawatha and York Street with Vesak flags and other lighting adding to the fairyland setting that drew large crowds.

The opening and the devotional programmes that followed such as the Bhakthi Gee recitals was aired live by ITN and Lakhanda radio mobile stations established near Lake House.

The Lake House Buddhist Society also conducted its 19th Lantern Competition opposite the Lake House premises.

This competition received entries from the outstations such as Deniyaya, Akuressa.

This year the ANCL decided to present an award for every competitor who entered the lantern competition.

2008/05/19

Amadahara Vesak Zone from today

COLOMBO: The Amadahara Vesak Sadaham Kalapaya (Vesak Zone) organised by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (Lake House) and sponsored by Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd will be opened opposite Lake House at 6.00 p.m. today.

Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa will be the chief guest. Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abewardana and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana will be the chief guests on May 20 and 21.

The Lake House main roundabout will be decorated with Buddhist flags and the area will be illuminated during the period. D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha and York Street will also be illuminated. Several other instititions located near Lake House are collobarating to make this event a success.

ITN and Lakhanda Radio will have studios near Lake House to relay the programmes 'live'. A number of voluntary organisations, Buddhist societies and Buddhist temples including the Sambuddhaloka Vihjaraya in Fort have extended their cooperation to make the event a success.

The Lake House Buddhist Society will conduct the 19th annual Vesak Lantern Competition opposite the ANCL premises.

Around 75 competitors from various parts of the country will display lanterns, made of local raw material.

Meanwhile, various Buddhist organisations have made arrangements to exhibit mega Vesak lanterns and pandals, and also to conduct Bakthi Gee (Devotional songs) programmes and stage dramas during the Vesak season.

Amadahara Vesak Sadaham Kalapaya begins tomorrow

by Ananda Kannangara

The seventh “Amadahara Vesak Sadaham Kalapaya”, conducted by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (Lake House) in collaboration with the Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd will begin in Colombo tomorrow at 6.00 p.m. under the patronage of Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa.

The three-day mega religious program will be held from May 19- 21 under the patronage of Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abewardana and Laxman Yapa Abewardana.

A discussion in this regard was held at the ANCL board room, last week with the participation of ANCL Director Finance, Shan Shanmuganathan, Director Upul Dissanayaka, General Manager Abaya Amaradasa, Manager (Corporate Relations), Waruna Mallawaraachchi, Director/CEO, Hayleys Ltd., Trevor Reckerman, Director M. Rizvi Zaheed, Head of Lighting, Janaka Kiridena and Manager Communications Suriya Bibile.

The Lake House main roundabout will be decorated with Buddhist flags and the area will be illuminated during the season. In addition, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Chittampalam A Gardinar Mawatha and York Street will also be illuminated.

Meanwhile, various Buddhist organisations have made arrangements to exhibit mega Vesak lanterns and pandals, and also to conduct Bakthi Gee (Devotional songs) programs and stage dramas during the Vesak season. The Lake House Buddhist Society will conduct the 19th annual Vesak Lantern Competition opposite the ANCL premises.

Around 75 competitors from various parts of the country will display lanterns, made of local raw material. All leading public and private sector institutions and banks in the city of Colombo will assist Lake House to conduct the program.

A number of voluntary organisations, Buddhist societies and Buddhist temples have extended their cooperation to make the event a success.

The Independent Television Network and Lakhanda Radio will make a special broadcast on the proceedings of the “Amadahara Vesak Program”.