• The  festival was to be held under strict health guidelines and with the participation of  266 individuals 
• Devotees would not be allowed to flock to the sacred city to watch the Perahera

By K.D. Devapriya and M. K. Nandasena   

The Esala festival in the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala will commence on July 10 and continue till July 23 giving priority to the traditional rituals.   

Basnayake Nilame Dishan Gunasekara said the Director General of Health Services Hemantha Herath had permitted the festival under strict health guidelines and with the participation of 266 individuals including eleven dancing groups, and the office bearers of the Maha Devala.   

He said the devotees would not be allowed to flock to the sacred city to watch the Perahera. The Basnayake Nilame pointed out that civillian life in Kataragama had been disrupted by the CORONA pandemic and that people who depended on the income from the devotees were in a predicament due to the loss of their income for about two years.   

Chairman of the Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha Chanaka Amil Rangana said the council’s main source of income was rent collected from stalls and lodges during the festive season, which was used for development projects in the area, but it had been lost for about two years. He said several lodges and guest houses had been closed and the employees had lost their livelihood.   

Meanwhile residents of the area said wealthy businessmen from Colombo and other areas were purchasing the hotels, restaurants and guest houses for a song. 

• People who depended on the income from the devotees were in a  predicament due to the loss of their income for about two years
• Wealthy businessmen from Colombo and other areas were purchasing the hotels, restaurants and guest houses for a song