Sri Lanka’s highest Buddhist prelates warn that the officially published Vesak Poya date for 2026 is astrologically and traditionally incorrect, calling on the President to urgently correct the national calendar to protect the sanctity of Vesak.
The Trinika Mahanayake Theros have formally requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to correct the date of the Vesak full moon Poya for the year 2026 and to officially declare May 30 as Vesak Poya.
In a special letter addressed to the President, the Chief Prelates highlight that calendars issued by the Ministry of Public Administration currently list May 1, 2026 as Vesak Poya. However, they stress that this date does not align with long standing Buddhist tradition or accepted astrological principles linked to Vesak.
The Mahanayake Theros explain that Vesak Poya, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Lord Buddha, must be observed in accordance with the Visa Nekatha. They point out that the Visa auspicious period does not occur on May 1, making the date unsuitable for Vesak observance.
According to ancient Buddhist custom, all three sacred events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama took place during the Visa auspicious month. Therefore, Vesak Poya must fall on the fifteenth day of the lunar month in which the Visa auspicious period occurs. Based on this principle, the Theros emphasize that May 30, 2026 is the correct Vesak full moon day.
The letter further notes that expert astrologers have been consulted, and their professional opinions also confirm that May 30, 2026 is the most appropriate date for Vesak Poya. The Chief Prelates therefore urge the President to take immediate steps to amend the official calendar.
They have also requested instructions be issued to relevant authorities to organize state sponsored Vesak celebrations and religious observances on the corrected date.
The letter is jointly endorsed by the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thero of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Dhammasiddhi Sri Pangnananda Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Karagoda Uyangoda Maithri Murthi Mahanayake Thero of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, and Most Venerable Makulewe Sri Wimala Mahanayake Thero of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya.
Copies of the appeal have also been sent to the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Local Government for prompt action.
