News

State Vesak Festival in Puttalam

Published

7 months ago

March 17, 2023

editor

The Buddhasasana Ministry has decided to hold the state Vesak festival in Puttalam District this year.

Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Somarathne Vidanapathirana said the Vesak festival will be celebrated this year with the aim of promoting Buddhist teachings across the country focusing on the Puttalam District. He said the ministry is working together with several institutions at the national level as well as the district and local level in this regard.

State Vesak festival includes pre-Vesak programmes, Vesak day programmes during the Vesak week and Vesak Poya programme.

A special discussion in this regard was held at Sri Rathanasiri Piriven Vihara in Karavitagara, Chilaw under the auspices of Maha Sangha including Ven.Nadagamuwe Wijaya Maithree Anunayake Thera of Paththaduvana Sri Lanka Ramagna Maha Nikaya.

However, Ven. Itthepana Sumana Nayaka Thera, the Chairman of the Kalpitiya Regional Shashanarakshaka Mandala protested the move to hold the State Vesak festival at the Rathanasiri Pirivena.

In a letter to the President, the Thera said that it is a disgrace to the Buddhist community to hold the State Vesak ceremony in this temple according to the whims of a political leader from a different religious background in Chilaw.

News

5 jumbos killed in 2 train collisions

Published

8 hours ago

September 28, 2023

editor

Four elephants were killed last night after being knocked down by the night mail train from Colombo to Kankesanthurai last night (27).

The tragedy occurred between the Ambanpola and Galgamuwa railway stations.

Three elephants were killed on the spot while one succumbed to its injuries this morning.

Meanwhile, a mother and a baby elephant were knocked down by the Colombo bound Express Train from Baticaloa at Habarana, Palugaswewa on the Colombo-Batticaloa railway Line last night. The baby elephant was killed on the spot while mother elephant sustained critical injuries.

News

Person arrested with over 1kg of ‘Ice’ in Dehiwala

Published

9 hours ago

September 28, 2023

editor

Police have arrested a suspect along with 1 kilogram and 10 grams of ‘Ice’ (Crystal methamphetamine) drugs at Pannaloka Mawatha in Dehiwala.

The drugs are said to amounting to over Rs. 10 million.

The Police Headquarters mentioned that the arrest was made during a raid conducted in accordance with a tip-off received by the officers of Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

An electric scale, mobile phone and Rs. 150,000 in cash in the possession of the man were taken into police custody.

The suspect is a 39-year-old resident of the Dehiwala area and is to be produced before the Mount Lavina Magistrate’s Court.

The CCD is conducting further investigations regarding the incident.

News

Defence Ministry issues notice on firearm license renewal for 2024

Published

9 hours ago

September 28, 2023

editor

The Ministry of Defence has issued an announcement on renewing the firearms licenses of individuals and institutions for 2024.

Accordingly, the firearm licenses can be renewed between October 01, 2023, – December 31, 2023.

Necessary details can be downloaded from the official website of the Defence Ministry (www.defence.lk).

Noting that firearm license renewal for 2024 will not be carried out after December 31, 2023, the Defence Ministry emphasized that possession of a firearm without a valid license is a punishable offense under provisions of Section 22 of the Firearms Ordinance.

Meanwhile, registration renewal of private security firms for the year 2024/2025 will be carried out from October 01, 2023 – December 31, 2023.

Any renewals made after the deadline will be subjected to a fine or legal action, the Defence Ministry said further.