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Largest-ever International Gita Mahotsav hosted in Colombo (Pics)

Published

2 months ago

March 6, 2024

editor

A 4-day International Gita Mahotsav was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka from March 01 – 04, 2024 with a copy of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita being presented to the Honourable Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

This was the fifth edition of the International Gita Mahotsav organised for the first time in Sri Lanka by Kurukshetra Development Board of Government of Haryana (KDB), India, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, the cultural arm of the High Commission of India in Colombo in collaboration with about 30 religious and social organisations in Sri Lanka.

Highlights of the gala event included a Sadhbhavna Yatra from Nelum Pokuna to Vihara Mahadevi Park of Colombo on 03 March 2024 with nearly a thousand artists displaying local performing arts along with floats by ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, Mayurapathy Sribhadrakali Temple. Sri Lankan Prime Minister – Dinesh Gunawardena, Ministers Bandula Gunawardena and Vidura Wickramanayaka witnessed the Yatra with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo – Mr. Santosh Jha and the delegation from India.

The second day saw an International Discourse on Gita in addition to several seminars by experts on the theme of “Gita- An Epitome of Peace, Fraternity and Harmony”. The panel for the International Gita Discourse included remarks by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs – Vidura Wickramanayake, High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Swami Gurusharanand Ji Maharaj, Gita Manishi Swami Gyanand ji Maharaj, Member Secretary KDB Sh. Vikas Gupta and Prof Asanga Tilakaratne. The universality and timelessness of Gita’s message was the common thread in these discussions.

The International Gita Mahotsav in Sri Lanka was the biggest international edition ever held. The previous 4 editions were held in Australia (2023), Canada (2022), UK (2019) and Mauritius (2019). Within India, Kurukshetra Development Board has been organising Gita Mahotsav since 1989 in the city of Kurukshetra, the land where the ‘Bhagwad Gita’ is believed to have been delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as a part of the epic Mahabharat.

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Uma Oya project launched (Video / Pics)

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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.

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Visiting CPC delegation meets with NPP leader (Pics)

Published

4 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.