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Sri Lanka's Buddhists mark sombre Vesak after Easter Sunday attacks

  • Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
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    Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • A sticker for people who have been under security checking is seen on a Buddhist monk at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
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    A sticker for people who have been under security checking is seen on a Buddhist monk at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    A sticker for people who have been under security checking is seen on a Buddhist monk at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
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    A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
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  • Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    4/16

    Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    5/16

    A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • An army soldier stands guard at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
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    An army soldier stands guard at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    An army soldier stands guard at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    7/16

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • A Sri Lankan army soldier patrol inside the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
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    A Sri Lankan army soldier patrol inside the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    A Sri Lankan army soldier patrol inside the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • A police officer walks at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    9/16

    A police officer walks at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    A police officer walks at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • A police officer walks past worshipers at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    10/16

    A police officer walks past worshipers at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    A police officer walks past worshipers at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    11/16

    Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    12/16

    A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    13/16

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    14/16

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    15/16

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • Buddhist worshipers are seen near a police barrier at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    16/16

    Buddhist worshipers are seen near a police barrier at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo

    Buddhist worshipers are seen near a police barrier at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
    Reuters
Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
A sticker for people who have been under security checking is seen on a Buddhist monk at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
An army soldier stands guard at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
A Sri Lankan army soldier patrol inside the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
A police officer walks at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
A police officer walks past worshipers at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Buddhist devotees worship at the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
A Buddhist devotee worships at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Police officers search the bags of the worshipers at an entrance of the Kelaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
Buddhist worshipers are seen near a police barrier at the Kalaniya Buddhist temple during Vesak Day, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte
By Shihar Aneez and Omar Rajarathnam

By Shihar Aneez and Omar Rajarathnam

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Buddhist Sri Lankans marked the festival of Vesak in low key celebrations on Saturday amid heightened religious tensions in the Indian Ocean nation following the deadly Easter Sunday attacks that killed more than 250 people.

Vesak, a festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Lord Buddha, is celebrated on a full moon day in May, with the festivities extending for at least a week.

But the typical colourful lanterns and brightly-lit shelters with descriptions of the life of the Buddha were largely missing, as was the tradition of giving out food to passers-by.

The festival comes a week after mob attacks on Muslim-owned homes, mosques and shops in the island nation's northwest, in which one person was killed. Authorities said the rioters included Sinhala Buddhist extremists.

The attacks on minority Muslims follow the April 21 bombings by Islamist militants which killed more than 250 people in churches and hotels in and around the capital Colombo.

The number of Buddhist worshippers at the popular Keleni Raja Maha Viharaya temple on the outskirts of Colombo seemed to have halved from last year amid stepped-up security, a Reuters witness said.

A "checked" sticker was pasted on every visitor after they and their belongings were searched outside the temple.

"We can't only depend on the military, we have to be mindful and do our best to protect ourselves," said Anette Perera, 64, who was on her way to a temple in the Colombo suburb Kaduwela.

"I still feel unsafe and will make a floral offering at the temple and return (home) as soon as I can."

Some Sri Lankans tried to preach a message of peaceful co-existence.

At the Gunawardhanaramaya temple in Colombo, Tamil Hindus and Catholics hosted an "iftar" meal for Muslims breaking their holy month of Ramzan fast in the evening. Some Muslims helped decorate Buddhist temples with flags and Vesak lanterns.

(Reporting by Shihar Aneez and Omar Rajarathnam; Editing by Sudarshan Varadhan and Ros Russell)