Sri Lanka Celebrates Sacred Poson Festival of Light and Faith

Sri Lanka today celebrates the sacred festival of Poson Poya, one of the holiest days in the Buddhist calendar, marking the moment over 2,000 years ago when Buddhism was introduced to the island.

The full moon of June brings spiritual significance as devotees commemorate the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, who delivered the first sermon to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale - now a central pilgrimage site.

Mihintale and Anuradhapura have transformed into glowing hubs of devotion, as thousands of pilgrims gather for prayers, almsgiving, and lantern processions. Streets shimmer with lights, and homes are adorned with traditional paper lanterns and religious motifs.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended warm Poson greetings to the nation, urging citizens to embrace unity and moral awakening as guiding principles for national progress and spiritual renewal.

To ease travel for pilgrims, special free train services are running between Mihintale and Anuradhapura, while additional services connect Colombo Fort with the sacred northern cities throughout the Poson week.

Adding to the celebrations, the Indian High Commission has unveiled a special exhibition on Indian Buddhist heritage at Colombo’s National Museum, deepening cultural and spiritual bonds between the two countries.