News and Events

The ritual of renewing the *Athu Pandalama* a significant custom associated with the annual Kataragama Esala Perahera—was carried out yesterday; Monaragala District Secretary Mr. A.P. Nishantha and Kataragama Divisional Secretary Mr. K. Prageeth Kulathilaka participated in the event.

News and Event

The second meeting regarding the organization of the 2026 annual Esala Festival at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya was successfully held on July 1, 2026, under the chairmanship of the District Secretary. The Kataragama Divisional Secretary informed all concerned that the final meeting is scheduled to take place on July 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

A large gathering participated in this event, including the Chief Incumbent of Kirivehera Rajamaha Vihara and Chief Sangha Nayaka of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, and other members of the Maha Sangha; the Basnayake Nilame and staff of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya; Monaragala District Secretary Mr. A.P. Nishantha (serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the Kataragama Esala Festival camps); Kataragama Divisional Secretary Mr. K. Prageeth Kulathilaka; as well as other government officials and representatives of civil society organizations.

News and Event

Officials at the camp office are carrying out their daily duties by attending to the needs of devotees arriving in Kataragama for the Esala Perahera; meanwhile, tasks such as water and electricity supply and the issuance of vehicle permits are being managed by our fellow officers from the Kataragama Divisional Secretariat, under the supervision of Monaragala District Secretary Mr. A.P. Nishantha and Kataragama Divisional Secretary Mr. K. Prageeth Kulathilaka.

News and Event

A preliminary discussion to organize the 2026 Annual Esala Festival of the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya was held on June 5, 2026 at the Kataragama Kirivehera Purana Raja Maha Viharaya.

The Chief Incumbent of Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, Chief Sanghanayake of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, Ven. Kapugama Saranatissa Thero, Adhikarana Sanghanayake of Ruhunu Magampattuwa, the Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, including the staff, the Officer-in-Charge of the Kataragama Esala Festival, Monaragala District Secretary A.P. Nishantha, Kataragama Divisional Secretary K. Prageeth Kulathilaka, and a large group of government officials and representatives of civil organizations participated in this event.