All liquor taverns, slaughterhouses, casinos, betting centers and clubs will be closed during Vesak that falls on April 29th and 30th, the government announced today.

Vesak week begins today and end May 2, but all taverns, slaughterhouses, casinos, betting centers and clubs will be closed on the 29th and 30th.

Meanwhile, the State Vesak Festival will be held at the Devagiri Raja Maha Vihara in Bingiriya, Kurunegala on April 28, with President Maithripala Sirisena expected to attend.

Over 150 spiritual development programmes, 6 mobile services programmes, 16 dharma school teacher training programmes, 61 health and dharma programmes, 30 child meditation programmes, 18pProfessions and Buddhism programmes, 20 novice monks training programmes, and 37 programmes featuring parent-children bonds have also been organised.