News

Duruthu Poya, first Poya of 2023, falls today!

Published

2 years ago

January 6, 2023

editor

Today (6) marks the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, the first full moon of the new year.

This poya day is a great religious and historical day specially for Sri Lankans because it marks the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka after attaining the Enlightenment.

Upon the request of God Sumana Saman, the Buddha offered his hair relics (Kesha Dhathu) to the god and those relics are enshrined in the Mahiyangana Stupa.

The Buddha visited Uruvel Danawwa on a day like today and explained the way of Dhamma to about a 1,000 people, including Uruwela Kashyapa, Nadi Kashyapa and Gaya Kashyapa. It is believed that on this day, the Buddha visited Magadha Kingdom and preached dhamma to King Bimbisara and the citizens.

It is said that King Bimbisara offered the Veluvanarama to the Buddha and the Mahasangha on a Duruthu Poya day.

News

“Reports of Wijepala – Nissanka meeting, fake”

Published

10 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Public Security Ministry has denied media reports claiming that the Public Security minister – Ananda Wijepala had met Nissanka Senadhipathi.

The Minister’s media secretary had clarified this in a letter to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Adding that the neither the Minister or a representative had ever met Senadhipathi as claimed, the letter calls for proper investigations into the fake news and legal action against those responsible.

News

Special allowance for policemen on duty at ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

15 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.

The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.

News

Ravi K’s Bill to repeal Online Safety Act, gazetted

Published

15 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.

The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.

The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.

On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.