The Sri Pada season will come to an end tomorrow on the Vesak Poya day, Chief Incumbent of Sri Pada and Uva Wellassa University Chancellor Dharma Keerthi Sri Thripitakacharya Sri Sumangala Rathanapala Dhammarakkhihtabhidhana Bengamuwe Sri Dhammadinna Thera said.
On the day of Vesak Poya tomorrow (05), there will be many religious events at the Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and the casket carrying the sacred relics and the statue of God Saman will be brought back to the Galpoththawela Sripada Rajamaha Vihara from Sri padaya after the Vesak full moon poya day on the 6th morning.
The casket and the relics will be carried through several routes to Galpotthawela Sri Pada Rajamaha Vihara on the 6th night. After conducting a number of religious events and poojas according to ancient rituals in the early hours of the 7th, the casket and the relics will be kept at the temple till the end of Sri Pada off-season.
India’s Adani Group has denied the cancellation of its $440 million power purchase deal with Sri Lanka, terming the reports as “false and misleading”. The media statement notes that “the Sri Lankan Cabinet’s decision of 2 Jan 2025 to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a standard review process, particularly with a new government, to ensure that the terms align with their current priorities and energy policies.”
“Adani remains committed to investing $1 billion in Sri Lanka’s green energy sector, driving renewable energy and economic growth,” it adds.
The media statement comes after the AFP reported that the new Sri Lankan government has revoked a power purchase agreement with Indian conglomerate Adani Group following allegations of corruption.
The deal had initially approved to purchase electricity at US$0.0826 per kilowatt hour from the proposed Adani wind power plant, which is to be built in the Northern region of Sri Lanka.
Several activists had challenged the agreement, arguing that smaller renewable projects were selling electricity at two-thirds the price of Adani, the AFP had further reported. In addition, the project is also facing separate environmental concerns.
While President Dissanayake’s cabinet has revoked the 20-year deal power purchase deal signed in May 2024, it has not cancelled the project and has appointed a committee to review the project, the AFP reported, citing an official document and an energy ministry official.
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Ambassador designate to the Maldives, Dr. Siri Walt, has assured Switzerland’s support in recovering assets that have been moved out of Sri Lanka.
During discussions, Ambassador Walt provided guidance on the international measures required for reclaiming such assets and expressed Switzerland’s readiness to extend support whenever necessary by providing essential resources and assistance.
Ambassador Walt made these remarks during a meeting held today (Jan. 24) at the Presidential Secretariat with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The discussion also focused on utilizing Switzerland’s expertise and technical knowledge to assist Sri Lanka’s on-going anti-corruption initiatives. The Swiss government reiterated its commitment to providing technical and financial support for Sri Lanka’s priority programs, including the “Clean Sri Lanka” program.
The Ambassador additionally expressed Switzerland’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in addressing social challenges, promoting national reconciliation, and assisting with the development of the Northern region through necessary aid and resources.
The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage.