The festival is followed by the traditional fire walking ceremony which will be held in the 22nd of this month while the conclusion of the ceremony will be marked by the rituals commencing at the Menik ganga on the 26th.

A large number of devotees are expected to attend the festival due to the peaceful atmosphere in Sri Lanka says Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Maha Dewala Shasheendra Rajapakse.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Railway and Sri Lanka Transport Board have jointly organised a special transport service for the benefit of pilgrims.

The service will operate from Mondaythe 12th to the 26th of July Special bus services will be available from Bandarawela to Kataragama and Matara to Kataragama.(LPN)