News

Today marks Bak Poya day

Published

4 days ago

April 12, 2025

editor

Today (April 12) marks the Bak Full Moon Poya day, which is notable for commemorating several significant events in Buddhist history.

The Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka

It’s said that the Buddha traveled to Nagadeepa to mediate and peacefully resolve a conflict between two Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara, over the possession of a jeweled throne.

Other significant events on Bak Poya

It’s believed that Prince Siddhartha witnessed the first of the four great omens—the sight of an old man—on a Bak Full Moon Poya day. This moment marked the beginning of his spiritual journey toward enlightenment.

On the invitation of King Suddhodana, the Buddha began his journey to Kimbulwatpura with over 20,000 monks—a journey said to have been halfway completed on a Bak Poya day.

These events underscore the spiritual and historical importance of Bak Full Moon Poya in the Buddhist calendar, making it a day of reflection and reverence for devotees.

As with every Poya, devotees across Sri Lanka observe Bak Full Moon Poya day with offerings, meditation, and listening to Dhamma sermons at temples and shrines.

News

Decision to gazette 04 elephant corridors

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

The government has decided to gazette elephant corridors.

Deputy Minister of Environment – Anton Jayakody has announced that 04 elephant corridors will be gazetted under the first phase, focusing on areas within the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.

He further says that this decision aims to mitigate the ongoing human-elephant conflict in the region.

News

800 drunk drivers caught in 2 days

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

Police have filed cases against 800 persons driving under the influence of alcohol during the festive season.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga says that these drunk drivers were identified during special operations conducted on April 13 and 14.

He stated that with many people returning to Colombo after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays, traffic volumes are expected to rise.

Motorists are urged to drive responsibly and prioritize road safety.

News

Maithripala attends 2025 World Summit of the Universal Peace Federation (Pics)

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2025

editor

Former President of Sri Lanka – Maithripala Sirisena recently attended the 2025 Universal Peace Federation (UPF) World Summit 2025 Seoul, South Korea which kicked off on April 10.
As the Asia-Pacific Regional Chair of the International Peace Summit Council of the World Peace Conference, Mr. Sirisena also addressed the inaugural session of the summit.

There, he emphasized the need to build a bi-cameral global organization that integrates religion and politics to maintain global political stability and peace, manage climate change, and manage conflicts.

The 2025 Global Summit was attended by former heads of state, current speakers, current members of parliament, and other diplomats, scholars, and professionals from about 40 countries.

Maithripala Sirisena, the Asia-Pacific Regional Chair of the International Peace Summit Council of the World Peace Conference.