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International Day of Yoga marked at Independence Square (Pics)
In the morning of 17 June 2023, High Commission of India and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission, in collaboration with various yoga institutes organised a yoga event at the iconic Independence Square in Colombo to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY).
The event saw participation of nearly a thousand people including the special invitees: Minister of Education – Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Transport & Highways and Mass Media – Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Affairs – Ali Sabry, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine – Sisira Jayakody, State Minister of Education – A. Aravindh Kumar, State Minister of Higher Education – Dr. Suren Raghavan, High Commissioner of India – Mr. Gopal Baglay, officials and staff of the High Commission, students, police personnel, members of the Indian community and yoga enthusiasts in Sri Lanka also participated. The event was organised in partnership with Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka with hundreds of traditional medicine doctors and practitioners joining the programme.
The event at Independence Square commenced with prayers by the Chief Priest of the Parama Dhamma Chethiya Pirivena in Ratmalana, Most Venerable Dr. Maitipe Wimalasera Thero, invoking the blessings of the Buddha for humanity’s overall wellbeing. The highlight of the programme was a 20-minutes long Yoga and Meditation Session for the participants conducted by experts from 25 eminent Yoga institutes of Sri Lanka, such as Astanka Yoga Mandir, Ashtanga Yoga Lanka, Aum Kriya Babaji Yoga Aranyam, Brahma Kumari Raja Yoga Centre, Hatha Yoga Centre, Institute of Human Excellence, Rhythmic Yoga Academy, The Art of Living, Yoga for Divine Life, Rama Krishna Mission, Sethsada Yoga Nikethanaya, University of Colombo, University of Kelaniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and SVCC. This was followed by an Advanced Yoga Performance by a group of children from Mayurapathy Sri Bhadrakali Temple.
In the run-up to International Day of Yoga 2023, SVCC in collaboration with government institutions, yoga organisations and local partners, organised over 90 Yoga events, workshops, lectures and demonstrations for different age-groups and professions across the island. These events are an effort towards reinforcing the significance of the shared heritage of Yoga for holistic wellbeing among the people of Sri Lanka
IDY 2023 celebrations at Independence Square in Colombo formed a part of the special feature of IDY 2023 that brings together countries from ‘Arctic to Antarctic’, connecting them through the practice of yoga. High Commission of India will also organise another yoga event at the Port of Colombo on 21 June 2023, thereby joining the ‘Global Ocean Ring’ as a unique initiative marking IDY 2023. This year’s IDY celebrations resonate with the theme of India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
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Foreign diplomats head to Kandy by train for “Siri Dalada Vandanawa” (Pics)
The special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic – ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, commenced today (April 18) after 16 years.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other diplomats representing several countries, is expected to participate in the inaugural event.
Diplomats from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea were among those taking part. The group traveled to Kandy this morning in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from Colombo Fort Railway Station at around 7:00 a.m.
This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka.
Upon arrival in Kandy, the delegation first visited the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, where a special Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration was organized in accordance with local customs to welcome them.
Additional diplomats joined the group in Kandy, bringing the total number of participants to 44. Together, they proceeded to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to take part in the inauguration ceremony of the “Siri Dalada Vandanawa.” Afterward, they returned to Colombo by train.
Today, on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. From tomorrow (April 19) onwards, veneration will be open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Pics : President’s Media Division)
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‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ inaugurated (Video / Pics)
The inauguration of the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic commenced today (April 18).
President Anura Kumara Disanayake attended the ceremony.
Additionally, a number of foreign diplomats traveled to Kandy on a dedicated train service to attend this event.
(Video : SLRC)
(Previous news 2025 April 18 – 10.40.a.m.)
“Siri Dalada Vandanawa” commences today
The ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, will commence today (April 18) at 12:30 noon, after 16 years.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake is scheduled to participate in the inauguration ceremony.
Additionally, a number of foreign diplomats are expected to participate in this event. Special arrangements have been made for them to travel from Colombo to Kandy via a dedicated train service.
From April 19 to 27, the special exposition will be from 12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Police’s Information Technology Division has introduced a new system to provide essential services for the convenience of devotees attending the ‘Siri Dalada Wandanawa’ and to facilitate collaboration with the police.
Through this platform, devotees can access information and receive instructions regarding the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic via the official website of the Sri Lanka Police, daladadekma.police.lk
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Oil anointing rituals at Dehiwala Zoo (Pics)
The oil anointing tradition for this year’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held today (April 16).
The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka in Dehiwala also performed these rituals on several of its inhabitants.
The rituals began with the ‘Kadol’ elephant, continuing a customary tradition of blessing elephants during the New Year period.
The head of a brown bear recently received by the zoo from United Arab Emirates, was also anointed.
However, the most special zoo resident that was included in these rituals, was the 153-year-old giant tortoise, recognized as the oldest living animal in Sri Lanka.
The event was organized by the zoo’s management team under the guidance of Director General Chandana Rajapaksa and coordinated by Deputy Director Dinushika Manawadu.
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