End of war unveils Vel

Shirley Wijesinghe

That the Adi Vel Hindu religious procession which was seen for the first time passing Temple Trees on the Galle Road after 16 years drew many responses from politicians, religious leaders, community leaders and businessmen.

The procession was received by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa opposite Temple Trees last Friday after the President insisted on the processing on its normal route which had been curtailed during the past .

Advisor to the President on Hindu Religious Affairs, Brama Sri Babu Sharma said that the procession of Adi Vel that took to the streets proceeded along the normal route after 16 years. This has sent a clear message to all about the sincerity of the Government to protect the religious rights of all communities without any differences.

“Its a happy moment for all of us. We should all forget the bitter past and unite,” Brama Sri Babu stressed.

Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana expressing his views to the Daily News said that the Adi Vel procession took to the streets on its traditional route and this can be considered a good example of President Mahinda Rajapaksa ‘s stated position that there is only one nationality in this country.” The people are enjoying real religious freedom now.

“The time has come to forget all differences and unite, The President has shown the way by welcoming the procession and being an example to the nation,” Mowlana said.

Ven. Arama Dharmathilaka Nayaka Thera said that the belief in God Vishnu and Skanda is common to both religions of Buddhism and Hindu.

The Adi Vel procession is organized in line with the Kandy Esala Perahara. President’s instructions for the procession to proceed on its traditional route should be highly appreciated. The Hindus as well as Buddhists can obtain the blessings of the procession without any fear under the new peaceful atmosphere in the Colombo city.

“Every religion should have a right to engage in its traditional processions” , Ven Arama Dharmathilake Thera added.

OCIC Director Rev Fr Benedict Joseph said the people had been used to watch the Adi Vel procession with hatred during the war time. Now it seems that this attitude has changed.

Rev Fr Benedict Joseph said that this change will create the ideal atmosphere so necessary for the successful achievement of development goals.

Western Peoples’ Front Leader Mano Ganesan told the Daily News that the Hindus specially in the city of Colombo today exercise their traditional rights freely without fear after 30 years. The restrictions imposed on the procession is over. It is a real blessing for the Tamil community as other communities as well as the country.