Elaborate arrangements, on an island-wide scale, are being made by members of the public, sales agents and employees of the Upali Group of Companies to commemorate 23rd Anniversary of the disappearance of Mr. Upali Wijewardena, the Founder Chairman of Upali Group and others which falls on February 13th.

The event will be commemorated with various religious ceremonies such as Bodhi Pujas, Sil Meditation Campaigns in Temples, in both urban and rural areas.

On the same day at 9.00 a.m. there will be a blood donation camp at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara organized by the employees of Upali Group of Companies..

Arrangements are also being made to offer alms to the Maha Sanga 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 to 10 needy students of Helena Wijewardene Vidyalaya, Kelaniya by the Chairman of Upali Group Dr. Sivali H. Ratwatte and Board of Directors will take place at 10 a.m.

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 the same night.

They will include mal, pahan and gilampasa poojas, religious discussions 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. and Upali Food and Beverages Ltd. are as follows:

Sri Naga Devale Boomiya, Kandy, Sri Maha Bodhi Vihare, Anuradhapura, Attanagalla Raja Maha Vihare, Nittambuwa, Vidya Nekethana Pirivena, Kalutara Maha Bodhiya, Kalutara, Sudharmarama, Kalawila and Getambe Raja Maha Vihare, Kandy.

Matara/Kamburupitiya Upali Wijewardene Vidyalaya students are having a Bodhi Puja and Sil at the school itself.

There will be a holy mass at St. Lucia's Chapel, Kotahena (adjoining St. Lucia's Cathedral, Mission House - left hand side) at 9 a.m.