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Sri Lankan monks take Vesak message to Beijing (Pics)

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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing hosted a grand Vesak celebration on 5 May with around 500 Chinese and Sri Lankans participating. While the staff worked tirelessly, teams of Chinese well wishers made the event an outstanding success.

Over 35 monks and nuns, including six senior monks from Sri Lanka, the Venerable Yogiyane Sobhitha Thero, Venerable Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thero,  Venerable Wanduragala Dhammarama Thero, and Venerable Uduwe Dharmaloka Thero and graced the occasion. Monks from the Lingguang Temple and the Guangxi Temple in Beijing and the White Horse Temple (Bai Ma Shi) in Luoyang lent an exceptional aura to the event. All the monks and nuns were provided daane (alms giving) at the Residence on the two days of the event. Around 500 devout Chinese Buddhists and Sri Lankans were present to celebrate the occasion. A sacred relic accompanied by the Sri Lankan monks was highly appreciated by the participants. The large crowd was seated in a white marquee specially constructed in the Embassy grounds by the Chinese well wishers.

The Embassy grounds were gaily decorated with hundreds of fairy lights and traditional lanterns. A number of Ambassadors invited from the Indian Ocean region and other diplomatic representatives graced the occasion. A dansala provided by the Chinese well wishers was kept open till late to provide dinner for all present.

Reverend Uduwe Dharmaloka Thero led the assembly in reciting gaathas. Deputy Chief Thero of the Lanka Amarapura Mulawansha Maha Nikaya, the Venerable Yogiyane Sobhitha Thero, spoke of Buddhism being more a way of life and of the long standing religious ties between China and Sri Lanka. Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona, who presided over the event, spoke of the Buddha’s message of non-violence and of metta, mudita, karuna and upekha and their relevance in today’s strife torn world. The President’s message was read out by Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. K.K. Yoganaadan. The staff choir and a team of students sang bakthi geetha while two Chinese singers enthralled the gathering with beautiful Chinese devotional songs.

The Ambassador encouraged the Chinese participants to visit Sri Lanka while the Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thero invited the Chinese to visit our sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, and to witness the Esala Perehera in August this year.

Old timers agreed that the event was the best Vesak celebration that they had experienced at the Embassy.

(beijing.embassy.gov.lk)

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Upcountry train services disrupted

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Train services along the upcountry railway line were disrupted due to a rock slip on the railway line between Haliela and Uduwara Railway Stations this morning (01), the Railways Department said.

Passengers said that while the Udarata Menike train was travelling from Badulla to Colombo at 5.45 this morning, the driver saw the collapsed earth mound and immediately stopped the train preventing a major accident.

The Railways Department said that the restoration of the railway line is currently being done.

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Annamale complains to IGP against Kassapa Thera!

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Social activist Kandasamy Annamale Sujith Priyantha alias Sujith Annamale has lodged a complaint to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) yesterday (31) saying that he and his family members have received death threats due to a statement made by Balangoda Kassapa Thera.

The complaint made by Annamale said;

“In a press conference held today (31/05/2023), Balangoda Kassapa Thera said, “Who helped from within the Aragalaya? Sujith Annamale… Sujith Annamale is the one who helped. Therefore, the CID should arrest them as soon as possible and produce them in court. If not, all the Buddhist monks behind me will take it to the street. We will not allow the Buddhist culture of this country to be destroyed.”

Annamale said that due to this statement, the life and property of his family members could be at risk.

“Therefore, please look into it and conduct a proper investigation as soon as possible and ensure the safety of my life and my property,” he said.

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Smoking kills 55 a day in SL

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According to the Alcohol & Drug Information Centre (ADIC), 55 deaths occur daily in Sri Lanka due to smoking.

The Centre said that 20,000 premature deaths also occur due to the use of cigarettes per year.

Sri Lankans spend Rs.400 million rupees on cigarettes daily.

A survey conducted by the ADIC said that the majority of smokers in Sri Lanka are people from low-income families.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wathsala Gunasinghe, an expert in respiratory diseases, said that more children and youth are addicted to e-cigarettes causing many health complications.

She said this at a news briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau in view of World No-Tobacco Day yesterday (31).

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