The exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy has drawn vast crowds since its ceremonial opening on Friday, with hundreds of thousands of devotees —including women and children — flocking to the temple to pay homage.
According to several economists, the event is not only a deeply religious occasion but also a timely showcase of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, a symbol of national harmony, and a gesture aimed at restoring international confidence.
Despite earlier announcements, the exposition was opened to the public ahead of schedule, reflecting the immense public interest and reverence associated with the event. Many devotees who arrived on the opening day viewed the relics only on the following day due to the large number of visitors.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was among the first dignitaries to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic following the ceremonial opening.
The event was attended by Ambassadors and diplomats of 17 countries, underlining its significance in promoting international goodwill and interfaith harmony.
OIC of the Dalada Maligawa Police Station, S. P. W. K. Senadeera, said yesterday that over 70,000 devotees were present at the foot of the temple in the afternoon alone. Dalada Maligawa police officers said that crowd management measures have been strengthened to accommodate the influx of visitors in their thousands. Special traffic arrangements have been implemented around the Kandy town, and additional security personnel have been deployed to ensure the safety of devotees. Police have also set up temporary medical stations and lost-and-found points to assist attendees. Senior police officials said the crowds have remained orderly, with no major incidents reported. “We are seeing a very disciplined turnout, and the public is cooperating well with security arrangements,” an officer on duty said. The 10-day veneration, which aims to highlight Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and foster national unity, will continue till April 27. Public access to the Relic will be open daily from 12.00 noon to 5 p.m. Temple authorities expect the number of visitors to grow steadily in the coming days, especially during the weekend. They have called upon all attendees to respect temple guidelines and maintain decorum during their visit.
Tourism officials have also reported that most of the nearly 95,000 tourists who recently arrived in the country are currently visiting Kandy to witness the relic exposition, further emphasizing the international appeal of the event.
