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Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak festival inaugurated (Pics)

Published

12 months ago

May 4, 2023

editor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurated the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone, which is the National Vesak celebration organized by the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo on May 03.

The Vesak program includes various events organized at the Galle Face Shangri-la Green and Presidential Secretariat Premises on May 03, 04, 05, and 06.

During the inauguration, the President switched on the lights to mark the start of the Vesak program and attended the ‘Bhakthi Gee’ event on the steps of the Presidential Secretariat. After that, he offered flowers to the Buddha statue and participated in religious rituals at the Seemamalakaya of the Gangarama Temple.

The President also illuminated the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” electric lights to inaugurate the Vesak celebration. The South Asian Embassies and High Commissions had created exhibition booths at the Vesak Zone to showcase the Buddhist heritage of the Vesak region, which the President visited. He observed the designs and asked for details from the designers.

The President also made a note in the commemorative book at the exhibition hall of the Pakistani Buddhist heritage. Later, he visited the Gangarama Temple and received blessings from Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Temple. Additionally, he had a friendly conversation with the local and foreign devotees who had come to visit the Buddha Rashmi Vesak program.

The Venerable Sangha community, including Ven. Kollupitiye Prof. Mahinda Sangharakkhita Thera of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena, Manusha Nanayakkara, Naseer Ahmed, Minister of State Suren Raghavan, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President, Sagala Ratnayake, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retired), Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr Gopal Bagle, Pakistan High Commissioner Major General Umar Farooq Burki, General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Inspector General of Police C D Wickramaratne, Foreign Ambassadors, High Commissioners and several others also participated in this event.

(President’s Media Division)

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Uma Oya project launched (Video / Pics)

Published

24 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran – Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and Sri Lankan President – Ranil Wickremesinghe have jointly inaugurated the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) a short while ago.

This project is one of the largest irrigation projects in Sri Lanka following the Mahaweli Development Project.

Speaking at the event, Iran’s President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi emphasized Iran’s technical prowess and engineering expertise and highlighted that Iranian experts are currently involved in significant electricity and water projects across more than 20 countries.

“Today the Islamic Republic Of Iran, enjoys great technical and engineering skills and expertise, and in more than 20 countries, our experts are running great and big electricity and water projects,” he said.

He further noted that Iran stands ready to share its knowledge, expertise and experience with Sri Lanka for the progress and development of the country, including partnerships in large-scale projects.

Following the inauguration of the Uma Oya multipurpose development project, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude to Iran for their technical support, emphasizing that without Iran’s assistance, Sri Lanka couldn’t have diverted the Uma Oya tributaries into Kirindi Oya. He highlighted the south’s desire to establish its identity & independence, suggesting that southern countries should now strive for their own strength and autonomy

(Video / Pics – PMD)

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Iranian President arrives in SL (Pics)

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

editor

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ebrahim Raisi & his delegation arrived at the Mattala Airport a short while ago (April 24).

The Iranian President was warmly welcomed by PM Dinesh Gunawardane upon his arrival.

During his one-day official visit, President Raisi will inaugurate the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.

News

Visiting CPC delegation meets with NPP leader (Pics)

Published

2 days ago

April 23, 2024

editor

National People’s Power Leader – Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (April 23) met the visiting delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The Chinese delegation consisted of Sun Haiyan, Deputy Minister of the Department of International Affairs of the Communist Party of China and member of the Central Committee of the Party, Lin Tao, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Affairs of the Communist Party of China, Chen Xiangyuan, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Li Jinyan, Director of the Department of the International Affairs of the Communist Party of China, Jin Yan, Deputy Director, Wen Jun, Secretary to the Deputy Minister, Jin Enze, the Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, and Zhang Guyu, the translator.

The NPP was represented by Vijitha Herath, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, and Sunil Handunneththi.

The meeting, held at the party headquarters, focused on the current political situation, upcoming elections and possible political developments were discussed between the two sides.

The leaders of the NPP had pointed out the importance of creating political stability in the country to get the country out of the crisis.

The visiting delegation had been focused on the measures and organizational structures adopted by the NPP in the political field and their gaining popularity among the public.

The NPP leaders also had emphasized their relations with various people, groups, social strata and Sri Lankans abroad, as well as their policies in building the country, and the dialogue between the party structures and the public.