People stage colorful parade to celebrate Buddhist festival in Colombo

A Sri Lankan man dressed in traditional clothes carries a statue of Lord Buddha during the annual Buddhist festival of Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. The procession is the most elegant religious and cultural pageant to be held in Colombo and has secured an important place in attracting tourists.

A Sri Lankan man dressed in traditional clothes rides on a decorated elephant during the annual Buddhist festival of Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013.

Sri Lankan traditional drummers perform during the annual Buddhist festival of Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. <AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena>