The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy has announced that the daily exposition hours of the Sacred Tooth Relic has been extended.

Accordingly, the exposition will be held from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm. Previously the exposition started at 12 noon.

The move comes in response to the significantly increased number of pilgrims arriving in Kandy for the ‘Siri Dalanda Vandanawa’.

(Previous news 2025 April 21 –9.57.a.m.)

‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ : Nearly 300,000 pilgrims 03 days

The Central Province Deputy Inspector General of Police Sudath Masinghe has said that nearly 300,000 devotees have paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic during the first 03 days of the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’.

Long queues continue as the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ enters the 04th day today (April 21).

Meanwhile, Kandy District Secretary – Indika Udawatta has said that a special programme will be kicked off to broaden services provided to devotees arriving at the city for the special exposition.

Kandy Municipal Health Officer Pasan Parakum Jayasinghe has also said that registrations had been granted for 820 ‘dansals’ which have come forward to offer food and beverages to devotees.

He said that with the increase in the number of devotees, registrations for ‘dansals ‘are also increasing rapidly and the registration can be done easily by visiting the official website of the Kandy Municipal Council.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning (April 21).

Reports indicate that he was summoned to provide a statement.

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has announced the official proclamation from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints regarding the inclusion of the people of the Catholic faith who were victims of the Easter Sunday attacks in the Catalogue of Witnesses of the Faith.

“Proclamation of the Official Announcement of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints about the catalogue of the Witnesses Of The Faith. His Eminence Marcello Cardinal Semeraro, the prefect Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican, has communicated to me by letter dated 21st of November 2024, that the names of the 167 Catholics who lost their lives in the tragic attacks on April 21st, 2019 in the Catholic Churches of St. Anthony’s Kochchikade and St. Sebastian’s Katuwapitiya have been included in the Catalogue of the Witnesses of the Faith, in its order book, considering the context of their heroism which includes historical, social, and religious elements of heroism. Additionally, the seven members of other faiths who lost their lives on the same day are respectfully remembered. The catalogue contains the names of the faithful who shed their blood due to violent opposition to their faith, motivated by the hate of the faith. The purpose of this is to propagate and preserve memories in perpetuity.”

Cardinal Ranjith emphasized the significance of this recognition, highlighting the heroism and sacrifice of the victims.

The inclusion in the Catalogue of Witnesses of the Faith serves to honor their memory and ensure that their legacy is preserved for future generations.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)