Commemorating the triple blessed events of the Buddha (Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing away), the 2026 State Vesak Festival will commence tomorrow (27th), centered around the Matara district. The main ceremony of the State Vesak Festival is scheduled to be held at the Midellawala Purana Viharaya.

Concurrent with the State Vesak Festival, which will be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the period from May 27th to June 2nd has been declared as "Vesak Week."

A series of religious, social, and environmental programs have been planned throughout the island during Vesak Week. Accordingly, health programs will be conducted on May 28th, value promotion programs on the 29th, Sil and meditation programs on the 30th, training programs for Buddhist monks and Sil Mata (Buddhist nuns) on the 31st, spiritual development programs on June 1st, and environmental conservation programs in line with the "Clean Sri Lanka" initiative on June 2nd.

The Sri Lanka Police has announced that a special security plan will also be implemented island-wide for the safety of the public during this Vesak season. Security has been tightened as large crowds are expected to gather in areas where Vesak zones, pandols (thoran), and devotional song (Bhakthi Gee) performances are held.