The Hunnasgiriya-Meemure road has been temporarily closed near the Kaikawala bridge.

Authorities say that vehicle movement over the bridge has been suspended due to a sudden structural issue that arose during renovation work being carried out by the Road Development Authority.

In this backdrop, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte has urged the public to refrain from visiting Meemure for recreational trips or other purposes until further notice.

The General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) proudly announces the 18th edition of its prestigious International Research Conference (KDU IRC-2025), set to take place on the 30th of September and 1st of October 2025 at the university premises.

Themed “Bridging Frontiers: Interdisciplinary Research for Sustainable Progress,” this flagship academic event has established itself as a premier platform that unites researchers, academics, professionals, and policymakers across diverse disciplines. The conference aims to foster meaningful dialogue and present cutting-edge research addressing pressing global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

The KDU IRC 2025 welcomes submissions across a broad spectrum of fields, including Defence and Strategic Studies, Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, Law, Built Environment and Spatial Sciences, Computing, Engineering, Medicine, Basic and Applied Sciences, and Allied Health Science.

Researchers are invited to submit extended abstracts or full papers that align with the designated conference tracks, contributing to the vibrant academic discourse.

Academic staff and researchers from universities and institutions are encouraged to participate actively in this forum by submitting their papers by the deadline of 7th July 2025.

Participation from universities and research institutions will play a pivotal role in the success of the conference, strengthening ties between academia and professional sectors. KDU looks forward to welcoming scholars and professionals from Sri Lanka and around the world to engage in this collaborative effort toward sustainable development.

For more information and submission guidelines, interested researchers are encouraged to visit the official KDU website, www.kdu.ac.lk.

A Residential Education Scholarship Project for Samaneris/Bhikkhunis/Silmathas has been launched to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand, reflecting the deep-rooted and enduring Buddhist ties between the two nations.

The initiative is being implemented under the guidance of Chief Sangha Leader of Ubon Ratchathani, Ven. Ubon Pra Kru Achan Pra Wishion Sarapath, following a request from Ven. Awissawelle Waga Sri Wajirawansa Thissa Thero of the International Bodhi Foundation.

According to a statement by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, Ven. Warakapola Chintha Nanda Samaneri has been selected for the Residential Education Scholarship Project for Samaneris/Bhikkhunis/Silmathas at Punna Da Sooktemdee in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Ven. Chintha Nanda is the first Samaneri student from Sri Lanka to be selected for this prestigious programme, which is dedicated to supporting the spiritual and educational development of female monastics.

The statement further adds :

Ven. Awissawelle Waga Sri Wajirawansa Thissa Thero and Ven. Warakapola Chintha Nanda Samaneri, together with the Officers from the Office of the Chief Sangha Leader in Ubon Ratchathani District, called on Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok.

Ambassador Edirisinghe expressed her sincere appreciation to Ven. Ubon Pra Kru Achan Pra Wishion Sarapath and Ven. Awissawelle Waga Sri Wajirawansa Thissa Thero for their visionary leadership and this noble initiative in extending the scholarship to a Sri Lankan Samaneri.  She also assured her full support for future collaboration in promoting Buddhist education and monastic exchange between the two countries.

During the meeting, discussions focused on strengthening Buddhist relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand and on expanding scholarship opportunities for Samaneris from Sri Lanka in the future.