Elaborate arrangements on an islandwide scale have been made by members of the public, sales agents and employees of Upali Group of Companies to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the disappearance of Mr. Upali Wijewardene, the Founder Chairman of Upali Group, which falls today.

The event will be commemorated by holding various religious ceremonies like Buddha poojas, sil and meditation campaigns in temples in both urban and rural areas.

At 9.00 a.m. today, there will be a Blood Donation Camp at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare organised by the employees of Upali Group of Companies.

Arrangements have also been made to offer alms to the Maha Sangha and scholarships to needy children. At Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare where one of the biggest commemoration ceremonies is scheduled to be held, the presentation of scholarships at 10 a.m. to ten needy students of Helena Wijewardene Vidyalaya will be given by the Chairman of Upali Group, Dr. Sivali H. Ratwatte and Board of Directors.

Employees of Upali Trading Company will provide meals the same afternoon to the inmates of the Boys’ Town Orphanage, Ja-Ela. There will be a series of religious ceremonies at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihare tonight.

They will include mal, pahan and gilampasa poojas, religious discussion and a sermon.

Other venues where such ceremonies will be held with the participation of members of the public, directors, employees and agents of Upali Newspapers Ltd., Upali Trading Co. Ltd., Upali Food and Beverages Ltd. and Upali Consumer Products Ltd. are as follows:

Sri Maha Bodhi Vihare, Anuradhapura; Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihare; Vidya Nikethana Piriven Viharaya, Sapugoda; Sri Saman Devale, Ratnapura; Kalutara Maha Bodhiya, Kalutara; Purwaramaya Horana; Kande Viharaya, Aluthgama; Rajopavanaramaya, Gatembe.