The 39th annual Poson illumination ceremony at the historical Situlpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya— a sacred site once home to 12,000 arahants —was illuminated, in view of the Poson Poya, with the patronage of the Upali Group of Companies on Tuesday (10). The event was inaugurated by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Managing Director of Upali Group Nimal Welgama, and MP Nihal Galappaththi, and other distinguished guests. The ceremony was also graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, including the Chief Incumbent of Situlpawwa Rajamaha Viharaya and one of the Eight Chief Prelates (Ashta Maha Nayaka Theras), the Venerable Lelwala Samitha Thera.