News

Indian HC organises series of Yoga events in SL

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2023

editor

High Commission of India in Colombo, its cultural arm Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Colombo, Consulate General of India in Jaffna, Consulate General of India in Hambantota and the Assistant High Commission of India in Kandy will organize a series of events across different parts of Sri Lanka to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) from June 17 – 21, 2023.

A mega public event under the theme ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ would be held at the Independence Square in Colombo on June 17, 2023 from 06.45am onwards to mark the Day.

Participation in the event, which is being held in collaboration with various partners including the Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka, is free for the public.

On June 21, the High Commission will organise another yoga event at the Port of Colombo.

In a media release, the Indian High Commission further notes :

Yoga enthusiasts will be connected from the ‘Arctic to Antarctic’ as a special initiative of the 9th edition of IDY. This year, Yoga will be performed on select port locations across the world forming a ‘Global Ocean Ring’. Connecting people the world over in a common pursuit of wellness, IDY 2023 resonates with the theme of India’s ongoing Presidency of the G20, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam i.e. ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’

To inculcate Yoga as a physical and mental wellness routine among the Sri Lankans, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre launched a 50-day run-up to IDY 2023. Since 01 May 2023, SVCC, in collaboration with government institutions, yoga organisations and local partners, has been organising Yoga events, workshops, lectures, demonstrations for different age-groups and professions. Some of the highlights of this campaign include yoga workshop for doctors of indigenous medicine, a yoga session at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds and an ongoing 3-day island-wide workshop for defence forces.

It may be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, piloted by India in 2014, proclaiming June 21 each year as the ‘International Day of Yoga’. The resolution was supported by more than 170 countries, with Sri Lanka being one of the co-sponsors of the resolution.

Yoga, like Ayurveda, forms a part of shared heritage of India and Sri Lanka. Indian diplomatic offices in Sri Lanka have been celebrating International Day of Yoga with the participation of the Sri Lankan leadership and public since 2015 with great fervour. Average footfall for the event over the years has been in thousands. There was also enthusiastic participation at the virtual events held in 2020 and 2021 in the wake of Covid-19, and in 2022 at the Independence Square in hybrid mode.

News

Only half of Sri Lankans brush teeth twice a day

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2025

editor

Available statistics suggest that only 50% of Sri Lankans brush their teeth twice a day, the Health Ministry has stated.

This was highlighted during a press briefing in Colombo yesterday (March 19) held to mark the World Oral Health Day which falls today (March 20).

Speaking, Consultant Dental Surgeon and vice secretary of the Sri Lanka Dental Association – Dr. Nilantha Ratnayake has stated that this leads to tooth decay, heavily impacting oral health.

He also noted that 3/4 of Sri Lankans inflicted with oral diseases have been identified to be hailing from low income households.

Dr. Ratnayake further stated the high consumption of sugar and not using toothpaste with fluoride as major reasons for oral health issues in Sri Lanka.

News

Gazette revises import export regulations

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2025

editor

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued, revising multiple import and export regulations, including a significant update permitting Bureau Veritas inspection certificates for vehicles imported from all countries.

A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued yesterday (March 19) revising amending multiple import and export regulations.

The revised regulations include a key change allowing Bureau Veritas inspection certificates for vehicles imported from all countries.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka Customs is required to verify the authenticity of documents online before clearing motor vehicles.

News

Lanka Sathosa riddled with corruption : Mujibur (Video)

Published

3 hours ago

March 20, 2025

editor

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP for the Colombo district Mujibur Rahman made a startling revelation about irregularities and malpractices at Lanka Sathosa, and charged that a tender for system audit had been offered to a company that belongs to Duminda Hulangamuwa who now serves as the advisor to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Delivering his remarks in Parliament during the budget debate, he said the previous tender for system audit which was opened on February 28, 2025 was scrapped since Hulangamuwa’s company had not been selected.

He charged that a fresh tender calling had been done purely for this particular company to qualify. The SJB MP charged that Lanka Sathosa is riddled with corruption in the purchase of supplies such as eggs and rice and transporting coconuts.

“In the past, Lanka Sathosa had always been tainted with corruption and fraud. Today, it is under the purview of a Minister who spearheaded the anti-corruption watch at that time. Despite your past role in an anti-corruption movement, you have miserably failed to address corruption at an institution which is under your purview. You raised your voice against corruption and fraud at that time. Today, you have failed. I wonder whether you remain silent or are incapable of addressing it. Or else, I wonder whether you pretend to not know anything,” he said.

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe was present at that moment.

He said that the current Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lanka Sathosa had interfered in the tender process for rice purchases, and an audit inquiry is now underway in this regard. He said the Acting CEO had been appointed initially as Deputy General Manager- Internal Audit.

“Now, he operates in two positions,” Rahman said.

Responding to the allegation,Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe said there has been no violation of tender procedures in awarding the systems audit contract to a company of Presidential Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa.

Denouncing the allegation, Minister Samarasinghe said any company which is qualified will be awarded contracts irrespective of ownership.

“The opposition alleged that a contract had been awarded to a company which is said to be owned by the President’s advisor. However there has been no violation of procedures in awarding the contract. A company owned by anyone can secure a contract if it is qualified. A number of government contracts have been awarded to a number of companies owned by a few members of the present Parliament. I don’t want to reveal their names,” he said.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk on March 19, 2025, has not been edited by SLM staff)