The Vesak Festival held in Vavuniya has clearly proven that the news deliberately spread on social media claiming that Vesak celebrations had been banned in the Northern Province is an outright lie. “Those who spread lies try to divide with words; we unite through action — that is our answer,” said Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan of the Northern Province.
The ‘Northern Province Vesak Festival’, organized by the Cultural Affairs Unit of the Northern Province Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs, Sports and Youth Affairs, was held with great splendour today – on Tuesday evening, 02 June 2026, at the Parakkum Maha Vidyalaya grounds in Vavuniya.
The event was attended by the North-East Chief Sanghanayake and Chief Incumbent of Madukanda Sri Thalatha Viharaya, the Venerable Ananda Thero; the North-East Assistant Sanghanayake Attamahaskada Kalyana Thissa Thero; the Hon. Deputy Minister and the Chairman of the Vanni Electoral District Coordinating Committee, Upali Samarasinghe; Northern Province Chief Secretary Mrs. Thanuja Murugesan; Secretary of the Northern Province Ministry of Education M. Patrick Diranjan; the Vavuniya District Secretary; Additional District Secretary of Vavuniya District and the Vavuniya South Divisional Secretary. Also participating were the Wanni Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), the Brigade Commander of the 56th Regiment, the Vavuniya District Local Government Assistant Commissioner, the Vavuniya South Zonal Education Director, and the Hon. Chairman of the Vavuniya South Sinhala Pradeshiya Sabha.
This devoutly organised Vesak Festival featured a Dhamma discourse, a grand Vesak procession that extended approximately one kilometre with the participation of distinguished guests, followed by the inauguration of a Vesak lantern exhibition. The event concluded with an almsgiving (dansala), stage performances, and devotional singing. Notably, approximately 5,000 members of the public attended and graced the occasion.
Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan, who attended as the chief guest and delivered an address, further stated:
“Vesak is a most sacred day for the global Buddhist community. The three great events — the birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana of Gautama Buddha — all occurred on this full moon day. Every Vesak lantern and oil lamp lit here is not mere decoration; they are symbols spreading the light of peace and love to the world.
The Northern Province is a land where Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Muslims of many ethnicities and faiths live as neighbours and brothers. This event proclaims to the world that, setting aside the rumours spread on social media, we are all united in brotherhood.
The teachings the Buddha left us are not mere inscriptions on temple walls — they are guides for our daily lives. The teaching from the Dhammapada, ‘Hatred is never appeased by hatred; only by love is hatred appeased,’ is most fitting for this land that has long borne the scars of war. Vengeance cannot be overcome by vengeance. Only love, forgiveness, and peace can break that chain.
The Buddha’s teaching of ‘Right Speech’ is most essential in this modern digital age. Before speaking or sharing anything, it is everyone’s responsibility to examine whether it is true and whether it could harm anyone. Likewise, anger and enmity first burn ourselves. In a society that follows ‘Ahimsa’ – living without harming others in word, deed, or thought – there is no room for violence.
The Buddha taught compassion. Hinduism says ‘Love is God,’ Christianity says ‘Love your neighbour as yourself,’ Islam reveres mercy and compassion. The forms of worship and languages may differ, but ultimately all religions teach only love. In that light of love, may the Northern Province forever remain united, peaceful, and flourishing.”
Meanwhile, the Hon. Deputy Minister, addressing the gathering, expressed his delight that such a grand Vesak event was being organised for the first time in the Vavuniya District.
