Sri Lanka, Aug. 9 -- The annual Kandy Esala procession, considered the grandest cultural festival in the hill country, has officially concluded.

The Sannas Pathra, a traditional message confirming the successful completion of the festival, was presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon at the President's House in Kandy.

The Chief Custodian of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara, presented the document to the President.

During the ceremony, performers who had excelled in this year's festival were also honoured.

The final ritual of the procession, the "Diya Kepeema," or water-cutting ceremony, was held this morning at an auspicious time at the Getambe ferry on the Mahaweli River.

The d...