Photo Story
‘Tea for Harmony’ in Colombo (Pics)
A Chinese cultural event was held in Colombo yesterday (May 22), featuring cultural components from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region located in Southern China.
Titled ‘Tea for Harmony – Yaji Cultural Salon 2024’, the event showcased a catwalk featuring Guangxi ethnic wear , a Guangxi pictorial tour exhibition, traditional song and dance performances by China and Sri Lanka.
The event, which coincided with the International Tea Day, featured an intangible cultural heritage tea art experience as well as tea products from both countries.
The event was attended by a host of distinguished guests including Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong and Madam Jin Qian, Speaker of Sri Lankan Parliament – Mr. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Mr. Lai Fuqiang – Level-I Counsel of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Addressing the gathering, the Chinese ambassador – Mr. Qi Zhenhong said that tea has become a significant medium for people in China and around the world to connect and be friends.
He added, “The people of China and Sri Lanka share a long history of growing, making, tasting and drinking tea, fostering exchanges and mutual learning. Though tea is produced in different places, it derives from a common source. Tea has become a common part of lifestyle of the two peoples and an important link to connect and bring them closer. I hope that everyone here today will enjoy a delightful cup of tea, watch the performances, and enjoy the wonderful time. I believe that tea, as a medium today, will further promote cultural exchanges between the two countries and strengthen the friendship between the two peoples.”
(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)
Photo Story
Kandy Lake cleaned up after “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” (Pics)
Following the ten-day “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” religious veneration, a special clean-up operation was carried out at the Kandy Lake by the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Navy.
During this operation, plastic bottles, packaging materials and other waste that had been discarded into the lake were removed, restoring the Kandy Lake to its natural state.
The operation was led by Commander Weerasekara and Captain Charitha Gunawantha of Sri Lanka Navy, with the participation of teams from Clean Sri Lanka, the Department of Irrigation and the Department of Archaeology. The initiative also received strong support from volunteer groups and members of the public.
Kandy Lake has long been a major attraction for both local and international tourists visiting Kandy. However, the accumulation of plastic and other waste materials in the lake poses a serious threat to water sources and aquatic life.
Under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, special attention has been given to protecting the environment, with the aim of fostering an environmental, social and moral awakening within the country and thereby uplifting society to a higher level. A series of initiatives have been launched to cultivate a sense of civic responsibility among the public and to promote the maintenance of a cleaner, waste-free environment.
Accordingly, the Clean Sri Lanka programme was actively implemented across the Kandy city area throughout the past ten days, coinciding with the “Siri Dalada Vandanawa”.
(President’s Media Division)
News
SLIMFA Media Fest inaugurated (Pics)
Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and Minister of Mass Media and Health – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, jointly inaugurated the first-ever Media Fest organized by the Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) today at Taj Samudra, Colombo.
Under the theme ‘Navigating the New Media Landscape Together,’ the two-day Media Fest from 25-26 April 2025 will explore contemporary media trends and innovations. Key focus areas include AI in journalism, mobile journalism, media monetisation, data journalism, disinformation and fact-checking, content creation and audio journalism. As the first-of-its-kind in Sri Lanka, it will feature keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
The event provides a unique platform for professional development and for fostering collaboration between media professionals from India and Sri Lanka. Experts from India including Ms. Palki Sharma, Managing Editor at Firstpost; Mr. Siddhant Sibal, Assistant Foreign Affairs Editor at WION;Mr. Shailesh Shekhar, Chief Synergy Officer at India Todayand Mr. L.V. Krishnan, CEO of TAM Media Research in collaboration with experts from Sri Lanka will exchange and discuss best practices with the registered participants from the media and business community locally.
SLIMFA, inaugurated in May 2024, under the patronage of the High Commission of India, Colombo is aimed at strengthening media ties between the two countries. Since its inception, the Association has conducted multiple initiatives, including panel discussions and roundtables, focusing on key media-related topics. It is a significant initiative to further bolster the people-to-people connection between the two civilisational twins.
News
President makes sudden visit to Kandy (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake last night (April 24) conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city to inspect the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address issues related to the provision of facilities and sanitation for devotees visiting the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa”.
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
(President’s Media Division)
Major reforms planned for bus transport
Kandy Lake cleaned up after “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” (Pics)
