Photo Story

Chinese ‘Dragon Boat Festival’ celebrated in Colombo (Pics)

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2023

editor

The Chinese ‘Dragon Boat Festival’ or the ‘Duanwu’ festival, was celebrated at the Port City clubhouse in Colombo yesterday evening (18).

Chinese expats as well as Sri Lankans joined the event, which also featured several cultural performances.

The ribbon cutting by the Chinese ambassador in Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong, signified the commencement of the Dragon Boat racing. Several instances of the event are shown below.

Visitors were also served ‘Zongzi’, a special triangular rice dumpling parceled in a leaf, which is traditionally eaten during the ‘Duanwu’ festival. Zongzi fillings vary across China, with Northerners preferring sweet fillings like bean paste or dates, while Southerners prefer more savoury fillings.

Duanwu usually falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. “Duan” means beginning while “Wu” means five, referring to the fifth month.

Check out the history of the ‘Duanwu’ festival and how it is celebrated in modern China.

(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)

Photo Story

07 new envoys to SL, present credentials to President AKD (Pics)

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2025

editor

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)

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2025

editor

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.