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Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak festival inaugurated (Pics)
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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Chinese PLA Navy sail training warship ‘PO LANG’ arrives in Colombo (Pics)
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Sail Training Warship ‘PO LANG’ arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning (Oct. 08).
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
‘PO LANG’ is a 86-meter-long Sail Training Vessel crewed by 130 personnel including 35 Officer Cadets.
Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Ma Wenyong is scheduled to call on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe at the Western Naval Command Headquarters today.
To strengthen the camaraderie between the two navies, crew members of the ship are set to participate in a series of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.
In addition crew members of the ship will explore some of the tourist attractions of the country, during their stay in Colombo. Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel will have the opportunity to participate in briefings on the operational functions of the ships as well.
Concluding the formal visit, ‘PO LANG’ will depart the island on 11th October.
(Pics – navy.lk)
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Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in Colombo
Commemorating 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka – Mr. Santosh Jha paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi by garlanding his bust at Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo today (Oct. 02).
Following the ceremony, the High Commissioner called on the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The bust was a gift from India in 2019, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The 42 inches-tall bronze bust of Gandhiji in meditative pose was sculpted by Padma Bhushan Awardee Ram Vanji Sutar. Sutar also has to his credit the world’s tallest bronze statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Kevadiya, Gujarat.
Later in the day, a Gandhi Oration will be organized by the Sri Lanka India Society (SLIS) in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the cultural arm of the High Commission of India in Colombo.
The oration will be delivered by Mr. Austin Fernando, former High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India.
As an annual event of SLIS marking Gandhi Jayanti, it has served as a platform for reflecting on Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless teachings and their continued relevance in today’s world.
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‘One China’ policy is firmly embedded in Sri Lanka’s foreign policy – Vijitha
Newly sworn in Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka – Vijitha Herath has reassured the ‘One China’ policy is firmly embedded in the foreign policy of Sri Lanka.
“The One China Policy is firmly embedded in our foreign policy both bilaterally and on multilateral fora,” he said yesterday (Sep. 25) while addressing a reception in Colombo marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
He also said that Sri Lanka also deeply appreciates the continuous exchanges between the two countries, the assistance Sri Lanka received during the economic crisis, the projects completed under the Belt and Road initiative as well as the assistance extended by Chinese financial institutions in the ongoing debt restructuring process.
As we continue to deal with the challenges of economic recovery, Sri Lanka seeks China’s solidarity, support and continued partnership for the economic recovery process, he added.
Addressing the gathering, Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong said : “History has proven that no matter how the international situation changes or whether facing traditional or non-traditional threats, the Chinese government and people always stand firmly with the Sri Lankan government and people. China remains a trustworthy friend and reliable partner to Sri Lanka. Facts have repeatedly shown that the closer and deeper the cooperation between China and Sri Lanka, the more capable Sri Lanka will be in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, development and dignity, and in playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs.”
“The people of Sri Lanka have now entered a new era and are writing a new chapter of their history. I firmly believe that, with the support and assistance from China and other friendly countries, and under the strong leadership of H.E. President Dissanayake, the diligent, intelligent, and heroic people of Sri Lanka will definitely overcome all sorts of risks and challenges, fully recover from the current crisis, and revive national economy to achieve prosperity. Sri Lanka, as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, will shine brighter,” he added.
The reception was attended by a host of dignitaries including diplomats, politicians and military personnel.
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