The oil anointing tradition for this year’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held today (April 16).
The National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka in Dehiwala also performed these rituals on several of its inhabitants.
The rituals began with the ‘Kadol’ elephant, continuing a customary tradition of blessing elephants during the New Year period.
The head of a brown bear recently received by the zoo from United Arab Emirates, was also anointed.
However, the most special zoo resident that was included in these rituals, was the 153-year-old giant tortoise, recognized as the oldest living animal in Sri Lanka.
The event was organized by the zoo’s management team under the guidance of Director General Chandana Rajapaksa and coordinated by Deputy Director Dinushika Manawadu.
The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 p.m. today (May 09).
Showers may occur in Western province and in Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.
Fairly heavy rains above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-central provinces.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.
Subhashini Indika Kumari Liyanage has been appointed as the new Commissioner General of Examinations, effective immediately.
She succeeds H.J.M.C.A. Jayasundara, whose term ended on May 06, 2025.
Liyanage, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, previously served as an Examinations Commissioner in the Department of Examinations.
Her appointment was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.