No public for Perahera or other religious ceremonies

The public will not be allowed to participate or view Perahera at any religious place this year, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said in a press release. 

Further, religious processions will not be allowed. Permission has not been granted to conduct the ‘Pada Yatra’, the traditional walk by devotees who travel from Nallur, Jaffna, Trincomalee, and from several parts of the Eastern Province to participate in the Kataragama Perahera.

“The Presidential Task Force for Prevention of COVID-19 emphasised the necessity of conducting all Perahera festivals with the least number of artists while following health guidelines. It was also decided that artists who take part in Perahera representing different areas should obtain a report from the health authorities in their respective areas,” the PMD press release said.

The task force has instructed that adequate measures should be taken to hold the scheduled processions of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and devalas – including Kataragama, Devinuwara and Sabaragamuwa – while adhering to the health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

The traditional water cutting ceremony should also be attended by the minimum possible number of people, the Government has instructed. Steps have been taken to telecast live the Kumbal and Randoli Perahera of the Sri Dalada Perahera on TV stations.