Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the national ICT solutions provider and responsible corporate citizen will be conducting numerous religious activities and programmes in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, to coincide with the full moon Poson Poya Day which falls on 2nd June 2015 with the aim of spreading the true spirit of Poson among the public. The company has made arrangements for a comprehensive 2 day programme to take place on 1st and 2nd June 2015, under the theme of “Let’s communicate our good habits to the future generation”, which is a continuation of the company’s theme for the Wesak season. 1st June 2015 – Dharmadeshanawa at Anuradhapura Central College SLT Sisudam Sariya, a special Dharmadeshanawa will be organized by SLT in collaboration with Rupavahini Corporation for school students at Anuradhapura Central College on Monday, 1st June 2015 from 08.30am to 10.00am. Approximately 3500 students from the area are expected to participate for the programme at the school. The Dharmadeshanawa will also be telecast live on Rupavahini and City FM (89.6 and 89.8), enabling the entire country to be benefitted by the programme. This is conducted by SLT with the support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs. All students from across the island are encouraged to participate in the Dharmadeshanawa via Rupavahini or City FM since the company believes that it will help impart important insights to students on the relevance of Poson and how the teachings of Lord Buddha can be put into practice in today’s day and age. Through this, the company hopes to instill in the younger generations the culture and traditions associated with Buddhism to ensure that not only are they aware of these religious and cultural beliefs but are also able to practice them in their day to day lives in the true spirit of Buddhism. Distribution of medicinal plants and book donation Following the Dharmadeshanawa, SLT will be distributing 100 medicinal plants to the Anuradhapura Central College to support the planting of an ayurvedic / medicinal plant garden at the school premises. A food dansala will also be available for the students at the school on the day. A book distribution programme will also be held at the school by SLT, in collaboration with the Asia Foundation. 2nd June 2015 programme of activities On the Poson Poya Day, a gamut of activities has been planned by the company at various different religious sites in Anuradhapura. Tantirimale Rajamaha Viharaya A special sil programme has been organized at the Tantirimale Rajamaha Viharaya from 06.00am to 06.00pm. Simultaneously, SLT will also be giving away statues of Lord Buddha to 20 schools in the area, in an effort to support the building of shrines in the respective schools’ premises to encourage and teach students the importance of worship. A book distribution programme has also been arranged by SLT, in collaboration with the Asia Foundation, to distribute books on a wide range of subjects to the 20 selected schools. Further, basic educational and other essential items are planned to be distributed to 100 selected children who are truly in need of these items. This programme will be conducted with the support of the SLT Buddhist Association. Ayurveda Hospital, Tantirimale Distribution of yet another 100 medicinal plants will be made to the Ayurveda Hospital, Tantirimale, with the aim of supporting the building of an ayurvedic / medicinal plant garden at the hospital premises. Lankarama Temple, Anuradhapura An “aloka poojawa” or light-offering worship ceremony will also be conducted at the ancient Temple of Lankarama at Anuradhapura, which will be organized by the staff of SLT Regional Office at Anuradhapura. Transport arrangement from Anuradhapura to Mihintale & Mihintale to Anuradhapura In order to provide maximum support and ensure maximum convenience to pilgrims visiting the Sacred City during Poson, SLT has arranged free transportation via bus from Anuradhapura to Mihintale and from Mihintale to Anuradhapura on Tuesday, 2nd June 2015. Further, any persons who wish to obtain more information about the religious programmes taking place in Anuradhapura or information pertaining to the eight sacred sites in Anuradhapura including directions to these sites or any other advice, may access SLT’s dedicated IVR portal for Poson by dialing Megaline 025 222 8 222. Ruwanwelisaya Temple SLT has organized an evening of Buddhist devotional songs or bakthi gee at Ruwanwelisaya which will feature famous artists including Nanda Malini, Sunil Edirisinghe, T.M. Jayaratne, Somathilaka Jayamaha, Deepika Priyadarshani and several other artists. This is organized jointly by SLT in conjunction with Rupavahini Corporation. Somawathie Temple A national Poson festival has been organized at Somawathie Temple on the Poson day. As the ICT Solutions Provider, SLT will be providing Somawathie temple premises with SLT’s robust and crystal clear telephone services; high speed internet connectivity and wi-fi facility as well as PEO TV services. The main aim of SLT in organizing such a large gamut of activities during the season is with the intention of ensuring that the rich cultural and religious beliefs and traditions continue to be communicated and passed on to the younger generations under the theme “Let’s communicate our good habits to the future generation”. Through initiatives such as these, the company hopes to support the raising up of cultured individuals in the country who are true to their identity and culture.