Esala festival to be closed to public this year

• Esala festival to be closed to public this year

The District Secretary of Monaragala stated that the public will not be allowed to visit the sacred city of Kataragama within the time of the Esala Festival, according to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information, yesterday. 

The annual Esala Festival of the historic Kataragama Devalaya, one of the most revered and nationally important cultural festivals, will commence on 21 July. This will be the 2248th Annual Esala Festival of the Kataragama Devalaya, which will end on 4 August.

This year’s Esala Festival will be held giving priority to only the religious customs, in line with the precautions needed to be taken amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, by adhering to the health sector guidelines, according to the statement issued by the Department of Government Information.  

“The public will not be allowed to participate in religious activities or to watch the Perahara during the entire period of the festival. It has also been decided not to grant permission and necessary facilities for those who travel to Kataragama from the North and the East through the Okanda, Kumana and Yala National Parks,” the official statement added.