The Sri Lanka Air Force has bought back question papers of the G.C.E Advanced Level Examination, which were previously distributed to exam centres in the Northern region.

The measure was taken in view of the prevailing inclement weather.  

The papers were airlifted from exam centres in Delft, Welladi and Nagadeepa and delivered to the Education Ministry in the Northern Province.

(Pics : dailynews.lk)

The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka hosted a traditional Japanese musical concert at its premises on Nov. 26.

This special event celebrated traditional Japanese music, showcasing the incredible talents of two renowned Japanese musicians, Mr. Shogo Hiyoshi and Mr. Koga Michio.
Mr. Hiyoshi captivated the audience with his mastery of the koto and sangen, while Mr. Koga mesmerized everyone with the soulful melodies of the shakuhachi. The harmonious blend of these traditional instruments provided a rare and authentic experience of Japan’s rich musical heritage.

This event not only promoted cultural exchange between Japan and Sri Lanka but also strengthened the strong bilateral ties between the two nations, the embassy adds.

The musicians

Mr. Hiyoshi Shogo is a master of the Ikuta-ryu school of koto and sangen music. Today he plays both koto and sangen. In addition, he plays the kokyu, a Japanese 3-stringed bowed instrument, and the Heike-biwa, which is believed to be an ancestor of the sangen.

He has been a guest lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts since 2023. He has performed overseas, with his international debut in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2009, followed by Italy, France, Switzerland, Poland and so on.

Mr. Koga Michio is the former chairman of Metatechno Inc., the parent company of LNBTI.

Koga Michio started learning shakuhachi almost 50 years ago at Kochiku-kai, a shakuhachi club at Waseda University. He received his stage name, Chikusuke, when he achieved the status of master of the Kinko-ryu shakuhachi school ten years ago.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong recently met with the newly elected Speaker of the 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka – Dr. Asoka Ranwala.

The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera.
The Chinese Ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China – Mr. Zhao Leji, to Dr. Ranwala during the meeting.

Recalling the long-standing cooperation between Sri Lanka and China, the new Speaker expressed his hope to further strengthen relations between the two countries under the new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

During the meeting, the Chinese Ambassador stated that it is important to further strengthen relations between the legislative bodies of the two countries, and that it is important to establish the Sri Lanka-China Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Tenth Parliament as well.

In addition, attention was also paid to expanding cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas, including economic development, agriculture-related issues including hybrid seed development, water management, crude oil refining, foreign investment and export promotion.

(Pics : Parliament of Sri Lanka)