The ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which commenced yesterday (April 18), continues today (April 19) for its second day.
Accordingly, devotees have been given the opportunity to pay their respects to the Sacred Tooth Relic today from 12 noon to 5:30 p.m.
Media reports indicate that nearly 100,000 devotees had worshipped the Sacred Tooth Relic yesterday (April 18).
Many devotees stayed in long queues overnight, lighting oil lamps and can be seen waiting to pay their homage today.
Kandy Municipal Commissioner Indika Kumari Abeysinghe stated that due to the unexpectedly large turnout on the first day, several pre-planned arrangements had to be adjusted.
In addition to the facilities provided by the Kandy Municipal Council for the devotees who come to worship the Sacred Tooth Relic, temples and mosques in the area have also been opened for the devotees, she further stated.
Meanwhile, as of early this morning, one of the queues of devotees waiting to pay homage had reportedly extended more than 8 km – from near Kandy’s Red Bridge area (Rathu Bokkuwa) to the Ketawala area along the Thalathuoya road.
Local residents had treated the devotees who had waited in queues all night with tea and water and had also provided accommodation to some devotees at their homes.
Former Minister Mervyn Silva and two other individuals were granted bail today (July 03) by the Gampaha Provincial High Court.
They were released on a cash bail of Rs. 200,000 and five personal sureties of Rs. 5,000,000 each.
Additionally, the court imposed overseas travel bans on them.
The defendants were strictly warned to refrain from influencing witnesses and were ordered to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) every Sunday.The defendants were previously remanded over allegations of selling a state-owned land in the Kiribathgoda area using forged deeds.
Monara TV, launched with much fanfare just a year ago under the Swarnavahini media network, has reportedly shut down operations.
Employees have been informed that the closure is temporary, citing the need to resolve certain administrative issues.
The channel, led by Buddhika Wickramadhara, was ceremonially launched on June 25, 2024, with a grand event at Waters Edge.
Producers who supplied teledramas to Monara TV say they are owed nearly Rs.200 million in unpaid dues.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the parent Swarnavahini TV channel is also reportedly grappling with a serious financial crisis, paying teledrama producers only after 60 episodes are broadcast.
Producers claim they are compelled to wait about 03 months to recover an investment of around Rs.15 million per teledrama. Even then, payments are made in small portions, covering just 05 episodes at a time.
Producers who supplied teledramas before the appointment of Mr. Susara Dinal as CEO say it is even harder to claim their outstanding payments, as they have been asked to recover the dues from former CEO – Udara Wijesinghe.
The Swarnavahini Media Network is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah – Chairman of Lyca Group, which also owns Lycamobile, a global telecommunications company.
