News

Ven. Ajahn Brahmavaṃsa Thera ‘bumped’ to make way for PM’s entourage?

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2023

editor

World renowned Buddhist monk – Ven. Ajahn Brahmavaṃso had been compelled to remain at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake for over 12 hours yesterday (31) after the Thera was not escorted to his scheduled flight, ‘Lankadeepa’ reports.

The Thera had been at the airport around 10.00pm on May 30, and was supposed to take the SriLankan Airlines flight which was supposed to leave for Bangkok, Thailand at 1.10 am yesterday

After completing all security checks, The Thero was seated at the VIP guest lounge to board the scheduled flight.

A little later, Prime Minister – Dinesh Gunawardena and his entourage had also arrived at the VIP lounge before being taken to the flight to Thailand on a special bus.

Around 2.30am, airport officials had informed the Thera that the flight was cancelled.

Quoting officials, ‘Lankadeepa’ further reports that the Thera had left the island at 10.45 yesterday morning, via SriLankan Airlines’ flight UL 314 which departed for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

According to some reports, the Ven. Thera had been ‘bumped’ to make room for the PM’s entourage.

The venerable monk had to spend an additional 12 hours at the BIA to catch another flight, that too via Kuala Lumpur to BKK. Lankadeepa reported that the airline "forgot to transport him to the aircraft." https://t.co/ziv7yfSTnY
— Ranga Sirilal (@rangaba) June 1, 2023

News

SLAF helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya during training session

Published

47 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

A Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has reportedly crashed today (May 09) into the Maduru Oya Reservoir.

The incident occurred during a training exercise held as part of the Sri Lanka Army Special Forces passing-out ceremony in Maduru Oya.

The aircraft was carrying ten Special Forces soldiers and two pilots at the time of the incident.

All personnel reportedly escaped without fatal injuries. Several have been hospitalised for treatment.

News

American Cardinal elected as new Pope: Pope Leo XIV

Published

54 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

editor

Following a 02-day papal conclave, American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the new Pope yesterday (May 08) evening, Vatican time.

At 69, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the 267th Pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

He becomes the first American to ascend to the papacy in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV now assumes spiritual leadership of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

The election follows the death of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican City, a day after participating in Easter Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.

News

Heavy rains expected in the afternoon

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).

Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.