The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing hosted a grand Vesak celebration on 5 May with around 500 Chinese and Sri Lankans participating. While the staff worked tirelessly, teams of Chinese well wishers made the event an outstanding success.
Over 35 monks and nuns, including six senior monks from Sri Lanka, the Venerable Yogiyane Sobhitha Thero, Venerable Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thero, Venerable Wanduragala Dhammarama Thero, and Venerable Uduwe Dharmaloka Thero and graced the occasion. Monks from the Lingguang Temple and the Guangxi Temple in Beijing and the White Horse Temple (Bai Ma Shi) in Luoyang lent an exceptional aura to the event. All the monks and nuns were provided daane (alms giving) at the Residence on the two days of the event. Around 500 devout Chinese Buddhists and Sri Lankans were present to celebrate the occasion. A sacred relic accompanied by the Sri Lankan monks was highly appreciated by the participants. The large crowd was seated in a white marquee specially constructed in the Embassy grounds by the Chinese well wishers.
The Embassy grounds were gaily decorated with hundreds of fairy lights and traditional lanterns. A number of Ambassadors invited from the Indian Ocean region and other diplomatic representatives graced the occasion. A dansala provided by the Chinese well wishers was kept open till late to provide dinner for all present.
Reverend Uduwe Dharmaloka Thero led the assembly in reciting gaathas. Deputy Chief Thero of the Lanka Amarapura Mulawansha Maha Nikaya, the Venerable Yogiyane Sobhitha Thero, spoke of Buddhism being more a way of life and of the long standing religious ties between China and Sri Lanka. Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, who presided over the event, spoke of the Buddha’s message of non-violence and of metta, mudita, karuna and upekha and their relevance in today’s strife torn world. The President’s message was read out by Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. K.K. Yoganaadan. The staff choir and a team of students sang bakthi geetha while two Chinese singers enthralled the gathering with beautiful Chinese devotional songs.
The Ambassador encouraged the Chinese participants to visit Sri Lanka while the Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thero invited the Chinese to visit our sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and to witness the Esala Perehera in August this year.
Old timers agreed that the event was the best Vesak celebration that they had experienced at the Embassy.
A few showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (July 01), the Department of Meteorology.
Fairly strong winds of about 30-40kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (June 30).
The price of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 12 to Rs. 305 per litre, while the price of Kerosene has been increased by Rs. 07 to Rs. 185 per litre. The price of Auto Diesel has also been increased by Rs. 15, bringing it to Rs. 289 per litre.
However, the prices of Petrol 95 Octane and Super Diesel remain unchanged, according to Ceypetco.
The new fuel prices are as follows:
• Petrol Octane 92 – Rs. 305 (increased by Rs. 12) • Auto Diesel – Rs. 289 (increased by Rs. 15) • Kerosene – Rs. 185 (increased by Rs. 7) • Petrol Octane 95 – Rs. 341 (not revised) • Super Diesel – Rs. 325 (not revised)
Meanwhile, Lanka IOC has also revised retail fuel prices to match Ceypetco prices.
Former Minister and veteran politician Gamini Lokuge has passed away today (June 30) at the age of 82.
Commencing his political career in 1960 as a member of the United National Party, his first successful national-level campaign came in 1983, when he was elected by a clear majority to represent the Kesbewa District.
He served as Minister of Tourism during the UNP-led governments in 1989 and 2002. In 2006, following personal disagreements with then UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, he crossed over to the government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In January 2007, Lokuge was appointed Minister of Sports and Public Recreation. He was re-elected to Parliament in both 2010 and 2015.
On 27 November 2019, he was appointed State Minister for Urban Development, and on 12 August 2020, he assumed duties as the Cabinet Minister of Transport.