Organizers of the special Poson festival in the sacred city of Anuradhapura in North Central Province of Sri Lanka are expecting around three millions pilgrims to flock to the city during the Poson Week declared from Sunday June 12 through June 18.

The Poson Full Moon Poya day on June 15 marks the arrival of Buddhism in the country in 306 BC from India and this year it is of special significance to the Buddhists of Sri Lanka as it falls within the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi commemorative year.

The Poson Week was launched Sunday with the historic 'Pan Perahera' from the Thisa Weva to the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

Several religious programmes including a Pirith chanting ceremony and illumination of the Ruwan Weli Seya in Anuradhapura during the week and the President, ministers and parliamentarians are expected to take part in the ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the Director of Irrigation of Anuradhapura region Wasantha Bandara Palugasweva announced that the bathing in the reservoirs of Nuwara Weva and Thisa Weva reservoirs is banned during the festive season.
The official said the ban was imposed since the two reservoirs are used to provide the drinking water for the pilgrims.

The devotees can bathe in other reservoirs such as Basawakkulama, Rajanganaya, Nachchaduwa, Puliyankulama and Mahakanadarawa. The official requested the public to adhere to safety precautions when bathing since these tanks are filled to the brim due to recent rains.

Special lifesaving teams consisting of 500 police and naval personnel have been deployed for Basawakkulama, Kala Weva, and Nachchaduwa reservoirs for the protection of the pilgrims.