President Anura Kumara Dissanayake praises Kataragama Esala Perahera as symbol of Sri Lankan unity

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake attended the final grand procession of the 2026 Kataragama Esala Perahera at the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, joining thousands of devotees. Earlier he visited the Kirivehera Rajamaha Viharaya, received blessings from Chief Sanghanayaka and Chief Incumbent Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, and participated in the ceremonial placement of the Sacred Relic Casket on the festival tusker and the illumination of the temple grounds.

In his address, the President highlighted the festival’s 2,187‑year history as a testament to Sri Lanka’s civilizational resilience and stressed that preserving cultural heritage underpins national development. He emphasized the event’s role in fostering peace and harmony among Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and other communities, noting strong youth participation and the pilgrimage of Tamil devotees as signs of continued communal unity.