Final procession of Kataragama Devalaya held

The final procession of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya was paraded through the streets, last night, Esala Full Moon Poya Day. The annual Kataragama Esala Perahera festival started on June 19. The Perahera festival will end today (4) with the water-cutting ceremony. Here President Ranil Wickremesinghe placing the casket containing the sacred relic on the perahera’s chief elephant last night. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Air China resumed services

Air China resumed services between the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Colombo and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with three flights a week from Chengdu-Colombo-Chengdu yesterday (3), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

Kataragama Perahara - 14th day..

The annual perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya was held for the 14th day last night with a large crowd witnessing the procession. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Seeking blessings on Esala Poya day

Today is Esala full moon Poya day, which is celebrated by Buddhists island wide. Esala Poya is significant to Buddhists as the day Buddha preached his first dhamma sermon, the ’Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta’. The picture shows devotees at the Kiri Vehera at Kataragama taking part in religious observances. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Kelaniya Temple on Esala Poya Day...

Devotees were seen coming in numbers to Kelaniya Temple and were seen engaged in religious observances to mark Esala Full Moon Poya Day. By Pradeep Dilruskshana

Rice donation programme

A rice donation programme was conducted at Pepiliyana Raja Maha Viharaya to coincide with Adhi Esala Poya day. A patron of the temple Mr. Sugeeshwara Bandara organized the programme with the participation with his mother. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Scout Association launches National Service, Relationship Month

The National Service and Relationship Month organized by Sri Lanka Scout Association was launched recently at the Pedro Scout Camp in Nuwara Eliya under the patronage of President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake and Chief Scout.

Leaving for UN Peacekeeping in Mali

One more contingent of Sri Lanka Army personnel in the 5th Combat Convoy Company (CCC), designated to serve in the United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) left for Mali yesterday (July 01) evening as the first segment of 170 troops out of the full contingent of 243, set to leave in stages.

Kataragama Perahara - 13th day..

The annual perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya was held for the 13th day last night with a large crowd witnessing the procession. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Kadawara Yak Kankariya

An extremely rare and dying ritual in Sri Lanka, the ’Kadawara Yak Kankariya’ was performed on Friday (30) night coinciding with the ongoing Esala festival in Kataragama. Chief Incumbent of the Kirivehera Most Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thera, Basnayaka Nilame Dishan Gunasekera and Uruwarige Wanniyale Eththo were the guests of honour at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Fire walking at Kataragama

The main fire walking ceremony of the Kataragama Esala festival took place this morning in front of the Maha Devalaya. The devotees took part in the fire walking. Pix by Nisal Baduge

​Exhibition of paintings and drawings

An exhibition of paintings and drawings by renowned artist, Kalasoori S.H. Sarath which kicked off at Siam Nivasa, the premises of the Roayl Thai Embassy on May 23 will be held till July 4. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Dry rations distributed...

Dry rations were distributed among 200 low-income people at the Gangaramaya Temple yesterday with the patronage of the IOC Chairman Sujoy Choudhury and other officials and the Temple Deputy incumbent Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

New Air marshal welcomed

Air marshal Udeni Rajapaksa was welcomed as the 19th commander of the Sri Lanka air force today. The ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Head Quarters. The Air marshal will assume duties tomorrow. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

UNP holds Ratmalana Bala Mandala meeting

Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake presents letters of appointment to members of the party’s Ratmalana Bala Mandalaya during the meeting held with the participation of Mr. Ratnayake, the Party General Secretary and other party seniors. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Suwa Arana opens

Suwa Arana, Sri Lanka’s first Peadiatric Palliative Care Centre opened its doors yesterday for peadiatric cancer patients. Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, his daughter Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake and UNP MP Navin Dissanayake were present at the opening of the Care Centre. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SL cricket team on safari adventure

Sri Lanka cricket team enjoyed an amazing safari adventure at the Matobo National Park in southwest Zimbabwe during their break of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Chinese ambassador pays tribute to Keppitipola Disawe

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong visited Keppetipola and paid tribute to the statue of Keppitipola Disawe, a Sri Lankan hero who led the great rebellion against colonization and invasion. He sacrificed his life for Sri Lanka’s freedom and independence.

Celebrating Hajj

Muslim devotees gathered around the country today to celebrate the Hajj festival. Seen here are devotees gathered at the Galle Face Green this morning to engage in Eid – Ul- Azha prayers in celebration of Hajj. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Appoint teachers the proper way...

Members of the Association of Graduates staged a protest today in front of the Fort Railway station, demanding the government to appoint them as teachers after conducting the teachers’ examination according to the teachers’ constitution. Later, a sandeshaya was handed over in this regard to the Presidential Secretariat. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

CDS calls on outgoing Air Chief

In accordance with the respected military traditions, the outgoing Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana paid a farewell call on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva this morning at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS).

Elephants enjoy natural river bathing

Elephants were seen bathing in the Menik Ganga in Kataragama ahead of the annual Perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

’Laksiyane Mandiraya’ opens

The ’Laksiyane Mandiraya’ Administrative complex of the District Secretariat in Gampaha was declared open today by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Titanic mysteries

The French explorer who perished on the Titan submersible’s journey to the Titanic spent decades working with a controversial company which recovered thousands of relics from the shipwreck.

5th SL Army contingent ready to serve UN

The 5th Combat Convoy Company (CCC) is now ready to undertake UN Peacekeeping Mission responsibilities in the United Nations Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Prior to their departure from the country, presented a ceremonial salute to Lt. General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP NDU, Commander of the Army at the Regimental Headquarters parade ground of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) at Ambepussa on Friday (23).

Dengue controllers against temporary employment

Members of the National Dengue Control Unit gathered at the Health Ministry today for a discussion with Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on granting permanency to its members who are employed on temporary basis to prevent the spread of dengue. Pix By Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dansala to feed Hindu devotees

A dansela to feed Hindu devotees performing Paada Yaatra from the North and East to Kataragama for the Esala festival has been held for the past ten days in the midst of the Yaala jungle (Block 2 section of the National Park). According to the organizers they have already fed more than 30,000 devotees and will function until the end of the festival on July 03.

Tightening the net on drug traffickers

Police officers check a vehicle during a special search operation conducted by the Colombo South Division police to apprehend drug traffickers. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Festival of Kataragama Maha Devalaya

The annual Perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya staged for the sixth day last night. Many people were seen participated at the procession. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Athupandalama ritual at Kataragama Devalaya

The ritual known as ’Athupandalama’ took place at the Kataragama Devalaya in view of the Esala Perehara. The ceremony marks the thatching of the hut in front of the main Temple and its branches are called Athupandalama. The ritual takes place every year. The main tusker of the Temple performs the ritual in the presence of the Basnayaka Nilame. Pix by Nisal Baduge