News

Vesak Full Moon Poya today!

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2023

editor

Buddhists all over the world celebrate the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day today (5).

Buddhists commemorate Siddhartha Gautama’s birth, the enlightenment of the Buddha, and the passing away on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.

This year’s Vesak is extra special for Sri Lankans since they were not able to celebrate the Vesak festival in previous years due to Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

On the occasion of Vesak, Sri Lankan Buddhist devotees conduct various religious programmes and organise many Aamisa and Prathipaththi poojas including pandals, lanterns, and dansals mostly in and around Colombo and in other major cities.

Accordingly, Vesak zones have been set up in many places including Thotalanga, Kiribathgoda, Kelaniya, Maharagama, Kottawa and Rajagiriya.

The Bauddhaloka and the Gangarama Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zones will be held for several days. The State Vesak Festival will be held in Puttalam District.

The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs organised the festival in collaboration with the Buddhist Affairs Department, Samastha Lanka Sasanarakshaka Mandalaya, Puttalam District Secretariat, Chilaw Divisional Secretariat and other governmental institutions.

News

12-hr water cut in several areas of Colombo

Published

4 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a 12-hour water cut from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (May 25) in several areas, including Colombo, due to essential maintenance work at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Kaduwela
Battaramulla
Kolonnawa
Kotikawatta
Mulleriyawa
IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
Maharagama
Dehiwala
Mount Lavinia
Ratmalana and Moratuwa

News

Investigations underway to arrest 20 criminals hiding overseas

Published

4 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

The Ministry of Public Security states that investigations are underway to arrest 20 members of major organized crime gangs currently hiding overseas.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.

News

Ex-Minister Duminda Dissanayake arrested

Published

4 hours ago

May 23, 2025

editor

Former Minister and Anuradhapura District Organiser of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) – Duminda Dissanayake, has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the discovery of a gold-colored T-56 assault rifle at a luxury apartment complex in Havelock Town, Wellawatte.

The firearm, found earlier this week, led to the arrest of 03 suspects, based on information revealed during interrogations conducted in connection with the incident.