“When the euphoria of victory dies down, and together with it the media hype ceases, when the guns do not rattle and boom anymore and the sky, the land and the sea become calm and serene, when tranquility reigns through it is natural to live in the present moment and forget the past. But one cannot live in the present without the past”- Daily News, 11th Aug, 2009.

The 5th Randooli Perehera (procession) – final pageant of the Esala Perehera is scheduled to commence Tuesday (Aug 25) night. The event marks the finale of the Buddhist ritual cum National ceremony that for centuries drawn great devotion, evoking blessings to the island nation in times of crisis and catastrophe.

According to officials, the Kandy Perehera has also been a major tourist attraction to the island especially with the end of a three decade prolonged terrorism scourge. Speculations made underscore the event to record a historic viewer rate via electronic media excluding the exodus of spectators drawn during the past few weeks. The pageant ends following day (Aug 26) with the Diya Kepeema, which is the water cutting ceremony at the Mahaweli River in Getambe, town a few miles from Kandy. A Day Perahera is held to mark the ceremony.

The Esala Perahera in Kandy is believed to be a fusion of two separate but interconnected “Peraheras” (Processions) – The Esala and Dalada. The Esala Perahera which is thought to date back to the 3rd century BC, was a ritual enacted to request the gods for rainfall. The Dalada Perahera is believed to have begun when the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from India during the 4th Century AD.

On the fatal day-26th of January, 1998 at 06.10A.M LTTE terrorists wrecked havoc at the scared Buddhist shrine causing death to 8 innocent pilgrims including Police personnel and injuring 25 others. A lorry laden with high explosives was rammed into the entranced of the Maligawa. Buildings within a radius of more than 5km in the city had been damaged. The sound of the explosion was reported heard six to seven miles off Kandy.

Never in the recent history as per Srilankan calendar year been so colorful, said a Maligawa official attributing the swift progressive transition of the island atmosphere due to its prevailing peace.

Though intended by the LTTE terrorists to provoke Buddhists and to replicate another Black July -the attack at the holiest Buddhist shrine however paved the way for national unity bringing together all communities – determined at facing many-a-more odds ahead.

Further speaking he said that this country is now flourishing with peace and harmony-rightfully earned through the dedication of the great men and women of tri-service and police. Hence, all peace loving citizens should take a moment to pay gratitude to the heroes of our time.

Colorful Dalada Perahara (Picture Courtesy www.sridaladamaligawa.lk )
Following the LTTE attack on 26th January 1998