The Mihintale Aloka pooja organised by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd (Lake House) for the 55th time will be held at Mihintale from June 7 to 11 from 6 p.m. President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are expected to attend the Aloka Pooja ceremonies.
The Aloka Pooja will be conducted in collaboration with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) under the guidance of Mihintale Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Most Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammaratana Nayake Thera.
In line with the Aloka Pooja, the ANCL has also organised a series of pinkamas and community service events for the benefit of residents of the area. The repainting of the Mihintale Maha Seya in preparation for the forthcoming 55th Mihintale Aloka Pooja was also completed recently under the patronage of ANCL which embarked on the noble task in June 1962. A large number of pilgrims throng the sacred cities on the Poson Poya Day. Anuradhapura and Mihintale are known as the cradle of Buddhism and this was where Arahat Mahinda delivered the message of Buddhism to King Devanampiyatissa, who embraced Buddhism along with his retinue.