Photo Story
A stroll through the Forbidden City (Pics)
The most majestic palace in the People’s Republic of China is located in the center of its capital, Beijing.
This palace is also known as the ‘Palace Museum’.
However, this place, which is now known as the Palace Museum, was referred to as the ‘Forbidden City’ in the past.
The Forbidden City’s history dates back to more than 600 years.
The palace was built between the period of the Ming Dynasty which was in power from 1368 to 1644 BC and the Qing Dynasty which was in power from 1644 to 1911.
The Forbidden City was the home to 24 emperors of China.
The construction of the palace began by the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Yongle, in 1406 and was completed in 1420.
Fourteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty ruled the empire from the palace until it was taken over by the Manchus in 1644.
Chinese history says the Manchus moved the capital to Shenyang for a few months after they conquered the palace.
The Forbidden City later fell to the hands of the Qing Dynasty and has been home to 10 emperors of the Qing Dynasty ever since.
The city was the seat of the Qing dynasty until the last emperor abdicated in 1912 following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
Considered to be the world’s largest imperial palace, it is said to be three times larger than the Louvre Palace in France.
The Forbidden City which is 7,750,000 square feet in size has been completed with the contribution of a million laborers.
It consists of more than 90 palace quarters and courtyards, 980 buildings and over 8,728 rooms.
The architects have designed it in a way that birds are unable to roost on the roofs of the Forbidden City.
The spaces between the tiles on the high roofs have been widened in order to retain the cleanliness and splendor of the city.
It is said that the colors of the Forbidden City are based on Feng Shui, and therefore, yellow and red colors can be seen often.
Buildings of European and Arabian architecture are also located within the premises.
It was said that part of the old collection at the museum is still in Taiwan as a result of removing some national treasures from the Forbidden City during the Japanese invasion in 1933.
Following the end of World War II, part of the collection was returned from Taiwan, but some of the artefacts are kept in the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
Many people here believe that a visit to the Forbidden City is incomplete without a visit to Jingshan Park.
If you wish to see just how enormous and majestic the Forbidden City is, you must visit the nearby Jingshan Park where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire complex from top of a hill.
(Kelum Shivantha reporting from Beijing, China)
Photo Story
07 new envoys to SL, present credentials to President AKD (Pics)
Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (May 15) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Denmark.
The new diplomats who presented their credentials are as follows :
– Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic, based in New Delhi.
– Ms. Stella Nkomo has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, based in New Delhi.
– Mr. Reuven Javier Azar has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the State of Israel, based in New Delhi.
– Ms. Nina P. Cringlet has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Philippines, based in Dhaka.
– Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Tajikistan, based in New Delhi.
– Ms. Rath Many has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in New Delhi.
– Mr. Rasmus Kristensen has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark, based in New Delhi.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the occasion.
(President’s Media Division)
Photo Story
“Lassana Dansala” offers beauty care during Vesak (Pics)
A special ‘Dansala’ was held at the Maharagama Youth Services Council premises from 7:00 a.m. yesterday (May 13) to mark Vesak Poya Day.
Unlike traditional ‘dansal’ that offer food, this unique initiative provided a host of free beauty care and advisory services for both women and men, including haircuts, head massages, eyebrow shaping, facials, under-eye treatments, and skin analysis.
This event attracted over 5,000 participants who received professional grooming and skincare advice in a Vesak-themed setting.
Present at the event were Deputy Youth Affairs Minister Eranga Gunasekara, NYSC Chairman and Director-General of Youth Affairs Attorney Supun Wijerathna, MP Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Maharagama Mayor Saman Samarakoon, and Colombo Mayoral candidate Vraie Cally Balthazaar, among others.
News
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith meets Pope Leo XIV (Pics)
The Archbishop of Colombo – Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has met the newly appointed Pope Robert Prevost.
The Archdiocese of Colombo shared pictures on social media of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and Pope Robert Prevost engaging in cordial discussions.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith met with the new Pope following his participation in the Papal Conclave in the Vatican City to elect a new Pope.
(Pics : FB page of News – Archdiocese of Colombo)
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