News

SL Samaneri selected for residential education scholarship in Thailand

Published

2 weeks ago

July 5, 2025

editor

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.

News

SJB establishes control of Seethawakapura UC

Published

7 hours ago

July 15, 2025

editor

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has established control of the Seethawakapura Urban Council.

At the council’s inaugural meeting held today (July 15), SJB candidate Sunil Jayaratne was elected Chairman through a secret ballot.

Ajith Wijayamuni Zoysa, who ran as an independent, secured the post of Deputy Chairman.

News

SL delegation leaving for US this week for tariff talks

Published

7 hours ago

July 15, 2025

editor

A Sri Lankan government delegation is scheduled to leave for the United States this Friday (July 18) to negotiate a further reduction in the tariffs imposed on Sri Lankan exports to the US, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

The Foreign Minister made this statement while speaking to the media following an event held in Colombo today (July 15).

A recent announcement made by the US President on July 09 saw the reduction of reciprocal tariff tariffs to 30% from the initially imposed 44%.

The new 30% tariff is scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2025.

Related News :

Sri Lanka hit with 30% US tariffs

US trade tariffs : GoSL to continue talks

News

Laws against shooting of wild jumbos, to be tightened

Published

12 hours ago

July 15, 2025

editor

A meeting was held today (July 15) at the Ministry of Environment with officials from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, aimed at tightening laws against the shooting of wild elephants.

The discussion was chaired by the Minister of Environment – Dr. Dammika Patabendi, along with the Deputy Minister of Environment – Anton Jayakody.

Noting that incidents of elephant shoots are regularly reported to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Minister instructed the Director General of the Department to take the necessary steps to strictly enforce the law against such acts.

The discussion also focused on strengthening the process of punishing offenders by updating laws related to the killing of wild animals. It also emphasized enforcing strict laws against the illegal construction of electric fences on private lands, which often harm elephants.

To help reduce human-elephant conflict, the Ministry and the Department are working together on long-term, positive solutions. Accordingly, elephant fences are being built in districts with frequent elephant encounters.

Furthermore, multi-purpose officers have been recruited for the maintenance of these fences and the involvement of civil defense personnel is also being considered.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation announced that a special media briefing will be held in the coming days to inform the public on these initiatives.