At the grand closing of the Kandyan Art Festival and Esala Perahera, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake warned against erasing Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, urging that history be preserved free from political influence to safeguard the nation’s identity.
The traditional ceremony of handing over the Sannas Patra, marking the successful conclusion of this year’s Kandyan Art Festival, was held at the President’s House in Kandy under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela presented the Sannas Patra to the President, while a Na sapling was planted to mark the end of the Esala Perahera. Artists who excelled in this year’s Perahera, along with supporters who contributed to its success, were also recognized.
Addressing the gathering, the President stressed that every nation’s strength lies in its history and culture. A nation without its historical foundation, he warned, is like “a body without a soul.” He noted that the Esala Perahera’s survival for thousands of years was due to its deep connection to the heritage of Sri Lankan society.
Expressing concern over modern attempts to erase history, he insisted that Sri Lanka’s cultural legacy is impossible to wipe away, as it is “woven into the flesh and blood” of its people. He pointed out that the festival’s strength lies in public participation, with even young children joining despite weather challenges, and said the future depends on integrating such traditions into everyday life.
Highlighting the immense work behind the Perahera’s four-hour procession, the President praised the efforts of the Diyawadana Nilame, Basnayake Nilames of the four main temples, and Nilames of outer temples. He said the government’s role should be to protect temples as historical guardians and free them from political interference.
He criticized past political practices where leaders sought to control all centers of influence, warning that such agendas threaten the sanctity of heritage sites. “If we want our historical heritage to remain grand and authentic, politics must be removed from it,” the President declared, calling for a clear separation between state involvement and political agendas to ensure the survival of Sri Lanka’s cultural treasures.
