By Gamini Bandara Ilangatilleka  

Sri Pada Pilgrim season 2019/2020 will end on the Wesak full moon Poya day on May 07. The pilgrim season that commenced on the full moon Poya day in December 2019 was suspended on March 20 on the instructions of the health authorities, the police and the security forces due to the health hazard created by 
the Coronavirus.   

Chief Incumbent of the Sri Padastana, Chief Sanghanayake of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Chancellor of the Uva –Wellassa University Ven. Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thera said the casket of sacred relics and the statue of the God Sri Sumana Saman, the guardian god of the Sri Padastana, would be taken in procession to the Nallathanniya Sri Pada Centre on the following day (8) by army personnel under supervision of the Commanding Officer of the Maussakele Army Detachment Cpt. S.M. Jayampathi and Commanding Officer of the Laxapana Army Camp Lt.Col. Nilantha Gunawardena after religious observances.   

The religious observances and other rituals would be performed under the guidance of Chief Incumbent of the Sri Padastana, Chief Sanghanayake of the Sabaragamuwa Province and Chancellor of the Uva –Wellassa University Ven. Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thera.  

The motorcade carrying the casket of sacred relics and the statue of the God placed in a float will leave for Galpottawala Sri Pada Rajamaha Vihara on Friday (8).    

The motorcade carrying the casket of sacred relics and the statue of the God placed in a float will leave for Galpottawala Sri Pada Rajamaha Vihara on Friday (8)