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Takiko Yoshida’s 115th Birth Anniversary today

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The 115th Birth Anniversary of Japanese Philanthropist Takiko Yoshida who opened up opportunities for Sri Lankans in Japan is celebrated today (16).

On the occasion of Ms. Yoshida’s 115th Birth Anniversary, a commemorative ceremony will be held at the Yoshida Preschool and Yoshida Shokanji International School (YSIS) premises in Sapugaskanda, its Director Hemakumara Gunasekara said.

Venerable Banagala Thera, who arrived at Abeysekarama Vihara in Sapugaskanda from Japan, established the Yoshida Education and Social Service Foundation and launched the first Traditional Japanese Early Childhood Development Centre in Sapugaskanda, on June 26, 1979. Ms. Yoshida arrived in Sri Lanka and fully contributed to the initiative.

At that time, there was no talk of travelling to Japan for work or educational purposes from Sri Lanka. Everyone in Sri Lanka was focused on sending their children to countries like England, the USA and Germany. The discussion in Sri Lanka about employment and educational opportunities in Japan commenced when Banagala Thera sent a large number of Sri Lankan girls to Japan to study early childhood development education for the first time.

The country called Japan gained popularity among Sri Lankans thanks to the efforts of Ms. Yoshida and Banagala Thera. These early childhood development centers known as “Japanese Preschools” were established in Nittambuwa, Horana, Nuwara Eliya, Maththegoda, Agalawatta, Polgasowita, Malambe, Kandy and Neluwa with the help of Japanese philanthropists under the coordination of Ms. Yoshida.

Since then, Ms. Yoshida has become one of Sri Lanka’s closest and dearest development assistants. That’s why many Sri Lankans fondly call her “Okasan Amma”.

Born on August 16, 1908 in Kyushu, Japan, Ms. Yoshida later married a renowned surgeon, Kishi Yoshida, and became a shareholder of Yoshida Hospital, one of the largest private hospitals in Japan today.

She offered to provide free medical treatment at that hospital to many people including the Mahanayake Theras of Sri Lanka. Ms. Yoshida was a renowned Japanese woman who was highly respected by monks and Buddhist leaders in Sri Lanka.

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COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

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The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

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The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

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Fuel prices unchanged

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The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that there will be no revision of fuel prices for the month of June 2025.

Accordingly, all fuel prices will remain unchanged for June, it said.  

Existing fuel prices (per litre):

Auto Diesel – Rs. 274
Super Diesel – Rs. 325
Petrol 92 Octane – Rs. 293
Petrol 95 Octane – Rs. 341
Kerosene – Rs. 178

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