Two million devotees expected for Poson this year at Anuradhapura

With the post-war peace prevailing in the country after eliminating the terrorism a year ago, Sri Lankan authorities expect two million devotees to flock to the city of Anuradhapura, the capital of North Central Province of Sri Lanka, this week to participate in the Buddhist festival of Poson.

the government says it has finalized all arrangements to provide the necessary facilities for the pilgrims attending the religious events in both Anuradhapura and Mihintale.
The North Central Provincial Council, the Anuradhapura Distinct Secretary, the Anuradhapura Municipal Council, the Sri Lanka Police, and the Armed Forces are jointly organizing these activities for the Poson Poya day which falls on June 25.
Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawadena has directed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board to arrange supply water to the pilgrims, the Ministry said yesterday.
Water supply to pilgrims' rests, alms halls and all public water taps will be continued day and night while water will be delivered in water bowsers to temporary water tanks, a press release from the Ministry said.
In addition, water bowsers will be parked in several places of the city to meet any shortage of water while water for sanitation will also be available, it added.
Meanwhile, the Poson committee overseeing the arrangements strongly cautions the pilgrims against taking baths in water reservoirs which are full due to the recent rains. They are prohibited from bathing in the Nuwara Wewa and Tissa Wewa. Life-saving teams have been deployed 24 hours of the day, the committee announced.
Sri Lanka celebrates the Poson which falls on the Full Moon day of month of June. It was the day that Arahat Mahinda, a Buddhist monk from India, brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka and delivered to King Devanam Piyatissa atop the Mihintale rock.