Poson Poya day

The Buddhist Devotees pray at Gangarama Temple on June 3, 2023, Poson Full moon poya day. Poson Poya is an annual festival held by Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century. The most important festivals of the festival are held in Anuradhapura and Mihinthalee.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Hingulwala Piyarathana Thero conducts Buddha sermons for US soldiers in Virginia

Several religious programmes were organised for American soldiers at a Navy base in Virginia, USA recently with the participation of Ven. Rajakeeya Pandita Hingulwala Piyarathana Thero, consultant and religious section member of the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs. At least 800 US soldiers and their families participated in the programmes, including sermons.

Wes Mangalaya ceremony

A ‘Wes Mangalaya ceremony’, organised by Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte was held at Eyamporuwa Temple in Madiwela recently under the patronage of Maj Gen Priyantha Weerasinghe. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

No Case, No Money, No Compensation

Several environmental organizations backed by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) staged a protest outside the Ministry of Justice in Colombo today, demanding the government to file charges against the X-Press Pearl ship tragedy at a Sri Lankan Court instead of Singapore and seeking compensation for the environmental damage caused. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

IMF delegation visits Lotus Tower

The IMF delegation visited the Lotus Tower, Colombo today. The Lotus Tower Management said it was a great pleasure for them to share their vision, ambition and upcoming projects with the visitors.

Fuel shortages lead to queues at fuel stations

Today, long queues were observed at numerous fuel stations as a consequence of several stations refraining from placing orders in anticipation of a potential reduction in fuel prices. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SL receives 40 metric tons of rice from US

The American Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (AAA SL) announced that it has secured a significant donation of 40 metric tons of rice from Bridgeforth Farms in Alabama, USA, which will benefit 4,000 households, providing support to disadvantaged urban families and emphasizing the compassion and unity between the United States and Sri Lanka. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Adjust basic wages to match CoL

The Institution of Engineers’ Employees union went on a token strike in Colombo today with the primary objective of adjusting their basic wages to match the cost of living and against the arbitrary practices in internal governance. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Help protect job and EPF...

Trade unions staged protests against labour law amendments, demanding the minister to protect jobs and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Protest demanding justice from UK for up-country Tamils

The ’Kithusara Group’ held a protest outside the British High Commission in Colombo today demanding justice from the UK government for genocide of up-country Tamils in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Vesak celebrated in Kuwait

The Vesak festival organized for the 35th time jointly by the Sri Lankan Embassy officials in Kuwait and the Sri Lanka Cultural Association, held in a grand manner May 25 and 26 at the Embassy compound in Kuwait. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

Complaint lodged against Pastor Jerome & Natasha

The Sinhala Ravaya lodged a complaint against Pastor Jerome Fernando and Natasha Edirisooriya who have made defamatory statements against Buddhism recently. Ven. Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero of Sinhala Ravaya was seen leaving the CID after lodging the complaint. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Stamps, coins exhibition...

An exhibition of vintage stamps, coins, currency notes, organized by the Sri Lanka Independent Philatelic Association was held over the weekend at the Public Library in Colombo. Several stamps and other vintage articles were also exhibited and sold at this exhibition. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

GCE (O/L) exams kick off

The GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations began this morning across the country. Candidates were seen arriving at examination centres in the Colombo district.

Busy buying veggies....

People are seen busy buying vegetables at the Delkanda Sunday fair, despite the higher prices. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

81st birth anniversary of the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero

Commemorating the Eighty-first Birth Anniversary of late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera took place on Sunday (May 28) at the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya. The commemoration was organized by the Maduluwawe Sobhitha memorial committee. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Build SL International Expo 2023 opens in BMICH

The much looked forward to Build Sri Lanka 2023 Housing and Construction Exhibition which commenced yesterday at the BMICH (Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Hall) will be held until 28 May and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Blood donation camp by PMF Finance

A blood donation camp organized for the first time by “PMF Finance” is being held at Walukarama Viharaya in Kollupitiya. The organizers requested donors who wish to donate blood to visit the Walukarama Viharaya today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

President meets Japanese Prime Minister

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo. The Prime Minister of Japan warmly received President Wickremesinghe, and bilateral talks commenced after a friendly conversation between the two leaders.

Lankans celebrate Avurudu in Kuwait

Two New Year celebrations organized by various organizations of Sri Lankans living in Kuwait and the Sri Lankan Embassy were held at two sports grounds in the country. The Sri Lankan Funeral Aid Fund and Social Service Association held their new year festival at the ’Philip Abasia’ area playground, and the Kuwait-Sri Lanka Cultural Association held their event in the ’Abuhalifa Saheel’ grounds. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

Watching his future unfold…

Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Rathnayake was seen watching the live Parliamentary session at his office where the motion to remove him was taken up for vote.

State workers raise grievances…

The public sector employees who submitted nominations for the local government elections handed over a petition to the Ministry of Public Administration claiming that they have received transfers to other institutions despite the approval for their reinstatements. The group of public sector employees was headed by former President Maithripala Sirisena. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

British High Commissioner visits Jaffna

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton engaged in an inception tour to the Jaffna district and met with several key officials including newly appointed Northern Governor P.S.M. Charles. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

Refugees urge speeding up of resettlement procedure...

Refugees detained at the UNHRC Refugee Agnecy at Rosmead Place, Colombo 7, today staged a protest in front of the agency, demanding to speed up their resettlement procedures as the centre is to be removed from the location. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

UNP Colombo East Bala mandala meeting...

UNP Colombo East ’Bala Mandala’ meeting was held in Kirulapone today (22) with the participation of Senior Presidential Advisor Sagala Ratnayake. The meeting was organized by UNP Kirulapone Organiser Titus Perera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

New political party launched...

A new political party led by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka was launched today at the National Youth Center Auditorium. The party named the ‘United Republic Front’ was launched to coincide with Sri Lanka’s Republic Day. The chosen symbol for the new party is the ‘Pencil’. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SLC office bearers assumed duties

Shammi Silva who was elected uncontested as the President of Sri Lanka Cricket, and the new office bearers officially assumed duties today.

Canadian PM's statement condemned

’Beyond the Struggle’ movement convenor, Balangoda Kassapa Thera, and the other members and friends and prelates staged a protest in front of the Canadian High Commission of, condemning the statement made by the Canadian Premier Minister Justin Trudeau on May 18. Premier Trudeau said May 18 is a day of the Tamil genocide, and thousands of Tamils lost their lives 14 years ago.

Final rites for late Mahanayaka Thera

The final religious rights for the late Mahanayaka of Amarapura Chapter the most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Thera was observed at Independence Square today with the participation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, several ministers and MPs. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Asupuni Ella Water Scheme declared open in Aranayake

President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared open the ’Asupuni Ella Water Scheme’ in Aranayake, the largest water supply project in the Sabaragamuwa Province, to provide drinking water to 52,000 families.