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Home » NewsPublic exposition of the most sacred Buddha relics from Sarnath
The sacred Buddha relics enshrined at the Mulagandhakuti Vihara at Sarnath in India were brought for public veneration yesterday on a request from the Prime Minister’s Office. This is only the second time these relics discovered by British archaeologists in colonial India in 1913 and handed over to the Maha Bodhi Society of India for [...]
Fuel price hike: CPC, Treasury in conflict
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Treasury continue to remain locked in a controversy over how to increase prices of fuel amid a crisis of rising world oil prices and the Sri Lanka rupee depreciating to the lowest levels against the US dollar. CPC Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga told the Sunday Times, “we are seeking [...]
Kandy monasteries reject state diktat on Vesak
The two main monasteries Malwatta and Asgiri will proceed with Upasampada rituals, or higher ordinations, from May 29, Vesak Day to June 27, the Poson Poya Day. The two viharayas do not accept April 29, as Vesak Day, which they claim is the work of a misguided astrologer. According to the Anunayake Thera of Malwatte, [...]
Milk powder price hike likely
An increase in prices of imported full cream milk powder is being considered by a Cabinet sub committee, in the wake of Friday night’s increase in the price of cooking gas. Consumer Authority Chairman Hasitha Thilakaratne said an increase in the price of imported full cream milk powder was being considered, but he could not [...]
Singapore firm seeks rule waiver to take control of EAP media companies
The Singapore-based Blue Summit Capital Management Pvt Ltd–which has agreed to funnel US$ 75 million into the crisis-ridden Edirisinghe Group of companies–has applied to the Finance Ministry for an exemption to the rule that foreign companies can own only 45% of shares in media companies, authoritative sources said. If granted, the private equity firm (which [...]
CEP project: Japanese insurer to examine environmental and social risks
The Government has commissioned Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) to carry out an environmental and social due diligence on the third and most complicated stage of the Central Expressway (CEP III), according to a source from the Finance Ministry’s External Resources Department (ERD). An environmental and social due diligence examines environmental and social risks [...]
A stool to swear upon
An ancient custom of our judicial system during the time of kings was that an accused should prove his or her innocence by swearing at a Buddhist temple or a devalaya. To that end, there was special equipment in those places. At the Kataragama Maha Devalaya, too, this ritual was observed, and there was a [...]
SLNS and GMOA battle heats up over nutritionist jobs at state hospitals
The Sri Lanka Nutrition Society (SLNS) has alleged that the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is blocking moves to employ Wayamba University graduates of Agriculture, Livestock and Nutrition from taking up nutritionist jobs in state hospitals. SLNS President Anoma Chandrasekera who is also the head of the Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University, said the [...]
The most revered Buddha relics from Sarnath in Sri Lanka for first time
Lord Buddha’s most revered relics, from Sarnath, were brought to Sri Lanka yesterday for public exposition on the occasion of Vesak. The relics, carried by the General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Ven. P. Seewali Thera were received by India’s High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu inside the Air India aircraft and presented [...]
Now, Longdon Place residents rise against “unlawful and dangerous construction”
Five residents of Longdon Place have petitioned the Court of Appeal against the “illegal” construction of a four-storey building (with a tall superstructure on top) in their lane adjoining a canal, saying it poses a safety threat to their own residences. The residents all live in close vicinity to the “unlawful and dangerous construction” at [...]
Most sacred Buddha relics from Taxila, Pakistan
The most sacred Buddha relics from Taxila in Pakistan were brought to Sri Lanka yesterday for public exposition at Temple Trees and several temples including the Gangaramaya in Colombo. Buddha Sasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera was at the airport to receive the relics from Pakistan’s state officials. In a newspaper announcement, the High Commission said [...]
Doctor directed to appear in court over newborn’s death
The Coroner’s court in Colombo yesterday directed a doctor of the Castle Hospital to appear in court next week in connection with an inquiry over the death of a newborn child, following the parents’ claim that death was due to negligence. The directive was given by Additional City Coroner Ms Deshani Samaraweera. In the ongoing [...]
Kerawalapitiya LNG plant tender: Korean consortium appeals
The proposed award of the Kerawalapitiya 300MW Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) power plant tender to Lakdhanavi Ltd, has been referred to the Procurement Appeals Board (PAB) by a consortium comprising Samsung C&T, Korea Midland Power Co. (KOMIPO) and GS Energy. The consortium, in its appeal to the PAB earlier this month, opposed the recommendation of [...]
The annual Police Vesak Bhakthi Ghee programme
The annual Police Vesak Bhakthi Ghee programme was held at Police Park on Thursday Pic by Indika Handuwala
GMOA threatens strike over new Bill
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) is up in arms again over the introduction of the the proposed ‘General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University Bill’ and vows trade union action in the coming weeks. GMOA Secretary Dr Haritha Aluthge said that, on May 3 (Thursday), a special General Committee meeting will be summoned with [...]
Sri Lanka, Australia in inaugural TIFA talks
Inaugural talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) between Sri Lanka and Australia, was held last week in Canberra, at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is the first bilateral discussion to take place after the TIFA was signed in Colombo on Nov.2, 2017, during the visit of Australian Prime Minister [...]
Island haven for the life of a recluse
About three miles north of Galle, on the Colombo-Galle Road in front of the Dodanduwa Railway Station is the famous Island Hermitage in Polgasduwa in Dodanduwa. There are three other islands nearby — Matiduwa, Mahaduwa, and Parappaduwa. Polgasduwa and Matiduwa are close to each other and joined by a strip of land formed by growing [...]
Govt desperate to protect the tourism golden goose
Dubious tourist guesthouses where vulnerable travellers face being bashed and sexually attacked by drugged and drunken local thugs have been ordered to obtain licences within a year as authorities alarmed by the damage done to Sri Lanka’s tourism reputation rush in safety measures. The Government will increase the Tourist Police force by 300 officers and [...]
Alert level rises with the heat
For the first time, the Meteorology Department and Health Ministry will issue a joint daily heat advisory due to the higher temperatures all over the country. Meteorology Department Director (Forecasting) Anusha Warnasooriya said hot and humid days will continue until the end of May and the onset of the south-west monsoon. “The highest temperatures these [...]
Thyroidectomy: No major cut and quicker recovery with NOTES
Seated on a bed in Ward 7 of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) with a large plaster around the neck, he shyly says that it was a sip of a soft drink that he had as his first intake of fluid, while his wife chips in that she had just given him a [...]
Green enemies of N’ Eliya’s beauty
A trouble inherited from the time of the colonial rule, invasive flora, are invading every inch of the water resources around Nuwara Eliya, with the damage visible around the beautiful tourist destination in the hill country. The environmental hazard caused by plants such as crassipes (water hyacinth), salvinia (water moss), pistia (water cabbage/water lettuce) and [...]
Officials promise clean and fraud-free dansal
The Government intends to strictly regulate dansal held during Vesak, Poson and other Full Moon Poya days due to concerns over fraud and unhygenic food. A circular regarding the matter, issued by the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs, has been sent to all District and Divisional Secretaries. The circular says that there have been reports [...]
President, PM call for reflection on the Dhamma’s eternal appeal to humanity
President Maithripala Sirisena in a message to mark Vesak said the thrice-blessed event affords an ideal opportunity to recall the great teachings of Lord Buddha, that have an eternal appeal to humanity. Gautama Buddha, was born in an era where Indian society had embraced various religious beliefs and myths. The Buddha preached the importance of [...]
To protect Buddhism, Malwatte Mahanayake calls for detailed identity cards for monks
The Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake, the Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddartha Sumangala Thera, has reiterated his call to the Government to issue foolproof and detailed identity cards for monks, explaining that they are necessary to prevent rogues masquerading as monks from bringing Buddhism into disrepute. He told the Sunday Times that he and other Mahanayakes had sent [...]
YMBA extends support to Mahanayake’s call
The Colombo Young Men’s Buddhist Association has welcomed the Mahanayaka Theras’s call to issue detailed identity cards for Buddhist monks in a bid to preserve Theravada Buddhism in its pristine form in Sri Lanka. “Having received information to the effect that the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras have addressed a memorandum to His Excellency the President, [...]
In the festive spirit
Pix by Amila Gamage, Indika Handuwala, Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa, W.A. Nelka and Sameera Weerasekera Controversy or not over the date of Vesak day that falls today, our photographers captured these scenes of religious significance and festive air from around the country
Anamaduwa PS Chairman installed sans own party members
A majority of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) members in the newly elected Anamaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), boycotted the installation of one of their members as Chairman. SLPP member Priyantha Rajakaruna was elected Chairman earlier this week. He is a teacher by profession and one time secretary to late Minister D.M.Dassanayake. Although the Council had [...]
PS inaugural sessions postponed for sound reasons
The inaugural sessions of the Anamaduwa Pradeshiya Sabha was disrupted, as most members could not follow the proceedings due to a poor sound system. Due to the increase in members, the existing sound systems used were not effective, and the members could not hear Chairman Priyantha Rajakaruna, which resulted in a heated argument between SLPP [...]
3,148 Schools have less than 10 teachers: Central Bank Report
The Central Bank (CB), in its Annual Report for 2017 released this week, highlighted both, positive and negative factors in the Education system, noting that, despite several achievements in the Education sector during the last year, there were 3,148 schools with less than 10 teachers. Thereby highlighting a possible shortage in the teaching cadre, in [...]
Ammonia tragedy: Factory ignored two warnings, says Labour Dept. Commissioner General
The Horana factory where five deaths occurred last week had been under a warning to improve safety condition for workers after two previous visits by inspectors before the incident, a senior Labour Department official said. Labour Department Commissioner General R.P.A. Wimalaweera said his officers and inspecting engineers reported that the factory had not provided its [...]
JVP goes to Jaffna for procession and rally on May 1; Peratugami, CMU defiant
Several political parties and trade unions will go ahead with celebrations of May Day on Tuesday May 1 despite the Government’s decision to postpone the celebrations and rallies for May 7.The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will hold its rally at the Jaffna Municipal Council Grounds, a party spokesman said. He said that they would hold [...]
Police raid unlicenced sand storage site
A sand storage site that was operating without a licence was raided in the Suduwella area of Madampe, Police said. They said sand that was transported to this area, washed and stored in preparation for sale. At the time of the raid a large stock of sand was found, ready for sale, although the owners [...]
Health service nutrition failures a factor in alarming child malnutrition
Nutritionists and paediatricians agree with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization’s findings that Sri Lankan children under five years of age are suffering from malnutrition that prevents them from reaching their full potential. The recent report said that the prevalence of wasting — low weight for height — in children under five years stood [...]
Novel pandal at Kadawatha
A Vesak pandal made of cement and depicting the Jaddantha Jataka -the story in which the Bodhisattva was born as a majestic elephant- will adorn the Gonahena area in Ranmuthughala in Kadawatha. The pandal, the first of its kind, was built using around 30 kg cement, ten metres of wire mesh, 16 liters of paint [...]
Pick of the Pix
Pix by M.A.Pushpa kumara, Sameera Weerasekera, Jayarathna Wickramarachchi and Thusitha K de Silva
Deegavapi garbage dump — a graveyard for elephants
The garbage dumping site at Deegavapi in Ampara is posing a health hazard to both residents and elephants. Waste collected from Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Akkaraipattu is brought here daily and elephants feed on the rubbish mound, resulting in health issues, sometimes fatal. The tragedy takes place largely becuase the garbage is not covered properly with [...]
Protective fence alongside Viana Ela already constructed: Mahaweli Authority
After several accidents in which vehicles toppled into the Viana Ela in the Mahiyangana district, President Maithripala Sirisena instructed the Mahaweli Authority to construct a protective fence alongside the stream, officials said. Director General of the Mahaweli Authority Sarath Chandrasiri Vithana said, of the 13km stretch, 8km come under the purview of the Authority and [...]
A stool to swear upon
An ancient custom of our judicial system during the time of kings was that an accused should prove his or her innocence by swearing at a Buddhist temple or a devalaya. To that end, there was special equipment in those places. At the Kataragama Maha Devalaya, too, this ritual was observed, and there was a [...]