President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Year at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura on Saturday.

The Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Year will be from May 17, 2011 this year's Vesak Poya – Full Moon - Day to next year's Vesak Poya Day.

The President also declared open the 2600th Sambuddathva Jayanthi commemoration monument at the Anuradhapura town and named the road leading to the monument as Sri Sambuddathva Jayanthi Mawatha.

The Vesak Festival this year, which marks the Sambuddhatva Jayanthi, is of great significance to Buddhists the world over as it marks the 2600th anniversary of the Enlightenment of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, that made him the Buddha and brought the teachings of Buddhism to the world.

It is celebrated with great importance in Sri Lanka, which is the only country where Buddhism has remained as the main religious philosophy observed by the people, since it was first introduced by the Arahat Mahinda, son of the Emperor Dharmashoka of India, more than 2300 years ago. Buddhism is the guiding light in Sri Lankan society, and has influenced the country’s history, culture, literature, and social values.

Four stamps to commemorate the Sambuddathva Jayanthi were also issued at Saturday’s ceremony, at Anuradhapura. These stamps depict locations such as, Lumbini, Buddha Gaya, Isipathana, and Kusinara in Nepal and India, where significant events in the life of the Buddha took place. The first day covers of these stamps were offered by the President to the Maha Sangha.

The government has declared May 14- 21 as the Vesak Week to coincide with the 2600th Sambuddathva Jayanthi celebrations. The Vesak Festival is celebrated throughout the country, and is known as the Festival of Lights. All Buddhist homes are lit up with colourful and decorative lanterns. After religious observances at temples, thousands go sightseeing in the night to view these decorations and also watch the many Vesak Pandals that depict the stories of Buddhism, especially the Jataka Stories -- stories of the previous incarnations of Prince Siddhartha Gautama before he attained Enlightenment as the Buddha.