A preliminary planning meeting for the Sri Dalada Maha Perahera 2026 of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya was held this morning (23) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake. 

The meeting focused on preparations for this year’s Esala Festival, during which the 126th Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya Sri Dalada Maha Perahera will take place, according to a statement issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD). 

The annual procession is scheduled to commence at 8.00 p.m. on 12 September 2026. Discussions centred on ensuring that the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya Perahera is organised with due grandeur and dignity through the full coordination of the Government. 

Attention was also given to the necessary preparatory arrangements, institutional support and logistical requirements for the successful conduct of the event, the statement said. 

The meeting further reviewed the contributions of the various State institutions involved in the organisation of the Perahera, as well as the financial and logistical support to be provided by both public and private sector sponsors, it added. 

Among those present were the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya and Deputy Registrar of the Sri Kalyani Samasri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Venerable Dr Aluthnuwara Anuruddha Nayaka Thera, Buddhist Affairs Coordinator of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Divisional Secretariat, Venerable Urugamuwe Dhammadassi Thera, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Harsha Vithanaarachchi, Mayor of Kotte Arosha Athapaththu, Chairman of the Maharagama Municipal Council Saman Samarakoon, Divisional Secretary of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Kasun Epa Senevirathne, together with representatives of State institutions, sponsoring organisations and senior officials of the security forces. 

--PMD--