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“Podi Hamuduruwo” bids adieu (Pics)
The final rites of the Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Nayaka Thero at Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo, was held today (Aug. 05) with full state honours.
Speaking at the event. President Ranil Wickremesinghe described the Thero as a great Sangha, noting his extensive religious and social contributions in various roles.
Emphasizing that the Thero never cared about caste or religion, President Wickremesinghe highlighted his dedication to the well-being of all people. He stated that the highest tribute to him would be to protect and advance the Dharma and the social centre known as Gangarama Temple.
Addressing the gathering President Ranil Wickremesinghe further elaborated;
Forty years ago, “Podi Hamuduruwo” and I organized the cremation ceremony for Vachissara Nayaka Thero. Today, I am here to attend the cremation ceremony of our Gnanissara Nayaka Thero. I am participating in this occasion as both the President of the country and a member of the Dayaka Sabha of this temple. Additionally, I represent the Wijewardene family, the oldest Dayaka family of this temple. Thus, I have many connections with Gangarama Temple.
I have known Ven. Devundara Vachissara Thero since my childhood. Rathanajothi Thero was also active during that time, and I met our “Podi Hamuduruwo” then as well. When I was about to attend university, he had left Vidyodaya campus and gave me advice about university life.
I was closely associated with him, and when I stood as a candidate for the Biyagama electorate, he offered me tremendous support and advice.
He once mentioned that Colombo needed a Perahera, and after discussions with President Jayawardena and Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa, we initiated those activities. Today, this Nawam Perahera has become a major event in the country, thanks to the boundless dedication of our “Podi Hamuduruwo”. Additionally, he worked tirelessly to support temples in remote provinces and the little monks residing in them. We owe him our gratitude for that.
Theros from all provinces were brought to Colombo to carry out this work, and a four-story building was constructed because the temple could not accommodate these activities. His educational mission extended beyond this, as he established connections with Buddhist countries worldwide. The King of Bhutan was invited to Sri Lanka, initiating relations with the Bhutanese government. Additionally, contacts were made with Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea, and Japan.
Today, at Gangarama Temple, not only is Buddha’s Dharma shared, but Chinese and Korean Buddhism and other sects also have the opportunity to engage with each other. By constructing new buildings, he significantly contributed to the temple’s development, transforming it into a Buddhist centre—a truly challenging task.He also established vocational training centres for youth from poor families in these areas. This initiative not only provided them with vocational skills but also encouraged companies to hire these trained youths.
He also contributed too many other societal activities, such as building houses for the poor and helping everyone in need. We should remember this admirable quality of his. He did not discriminate based on religion or caste. During the riots of 1983, when it was difficult to deliver food to refugee areas, our “Podi Hamuduruwo” instructed other theros to board every lorry, ensuring subsidies reached those in need. He later went to Vavuniya to assist the villagers there.
Our “podi Hamuduruwo” was a leadership figure with exceptional administrative talent and made significant contributions to political affairs. He worked closely with J. R. Jayewardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and me. When people faced problems, they would often approach the “Podi Hamuduruwo” to communicate their concerns to the president or prime minister.
We will never meet great characters like him again. He possessed unique qualities, and thanks to his talents, this temple has made significant progress today. Our challenge now is to continue the work he accomplished. Let us all commit ourselves to protecting and advancing this centre of Dharma and society known as Gangarama Temple.
The Trinitarian Maha Sangha led by Maha Nayaka Theros, Anu Nayake Theros, and lay priests, other religious leaders, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, Speaker of the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and local and foreign devotees were attend at the event.
(Excerpts / Pics : President’s Media Division)
BIZ
Govt. aiming to promote tourism at rural level – PM (Pics)
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the government is working towards a tourism development initiative aimed at promoting tourism at rural level by strengthening the capacity of local tourism service providers.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the inaugural ceremony of the China–Sri Lanka–Maldives Tourism Forum, held yesterday (June 16) at the Cinnamon Life Hotel in Colombo, under the theme “Connectivity and Collaborative Success along the Silk Road.”
“Sri Lanka is committed to strengthening these areas within our own national framework. We are currently implementing reforms to promote eco-tourism, improve digital tourism infrastructure, and enhance the capacity of local tourism service providers. We are also working to expand community-based tourism initiatives that ensure benefits flow to grassroots levels, especially in underrepresented regions of our country. It is our belief that by prioritizing sustainability, equity, and innovation, we can build a tourism industry that serves both the visitor and the host.”
“Sri Lanka is committed to strengthening these areas within our own national framework. We are currently implementing reforms to promote eco-tourism, improve digital tourism infrastructure, and enhance the capacity of local tourism service providers. We are also working to expand community-based tourism initiatives that ensure benefits flow to grassroots levels, especially in underrepresented regions of our country. It is our belief that by prioritizing sustainability, equity, and innovation, we can build a tourism industry that serves both the visitor and the host.”
Speaking, Chinese ambassador – Mr. Qi Zhenhong called to forge a new paradigm of China-Sri Lanka-Maldives tourism cooperation and contribute to building a China-Sri Lanka-Maldives community with a shared future.
He pointed out that China is the 5th largest source market for tourism in Sri Lanka, with over 130,000 Chinese visitors in 2024. Meanwhile, China remains the largest source market for the Maldives, with 260,000 Chinese tourists visiting in 2024.
Noting that China’s friendship with both countries exceed millennia, he made 03 recommendations :
- Jointly Build a Convenient Tourism Circle: Promote more direct flight routes and introduce “multi-stop” tourism products, allowing tourists to explore all three countries in a single journey.
- Jointly Shape a Quality Tourism Chain: Strengthen the alignment of standards for tourism safety, service quality, and ecological protection. Encourage joint development of high-end resorts, cultural discovery tours, and eco-adventure products by enterprises from all three countries. Implement more substantive measures to facilitate tax refunds for tourists’ purchases.
- Jointly Outline a Cultural Tourism Map: Organize trilateral tourism and cultural festivals, exchange performing arts groups, and host intangible cultural heritage exhibitions. Enhance tour guide training to cultivate more tourism professionals proficient in Chinese, Sinhala, and Dhivehi. Promote youth exchanges to foster deep friendships among the future generations of our three nations through travel.
The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employement of Sri Lanka – Mr. Arun Hemachandra, leaders from the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives, and a delegation from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, government representatives and industry experts.
The forum will span a week, featuring a diverse range of activities such as thematic seminars, exhibitions and promotions, business negotiations, technical inspections, and familiarization trips. During the forum, the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities will announce an initiative for regular cooperation among the alliance cities of China (Quanzhou), Sri Lanka (Colombo, Kandy, Kotte), and the Maldives (Malé). Commemorative plaques will be awarded to the participating alliance member cities from the three nations.
The event is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism of Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Maldives, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, and the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives, and co-organized by Network of International Culturalink Entities of China and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)
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President AKD meets SL community in Germany (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is currently on an official visit to Germany, met with members of the Sri Lankan community residing in the country yesterday afternoon (June 13).
A large number of Sri Lankan professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors attended the event, which was organized by Sri Lankans living in Germany.
After receiving a warm welcome, President Dissanayake addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of collective effort in building a prosperous nation.
He also acknowledged and appreciated the continued contributions of Sri Lankans living abroad, noting that the country is now making a stable and determined start toward rebuilding a previously weakened state.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism – Vijitha Herath also addressed the gathering.
News
President AKD meets his German counterpart (Pics)
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (June 11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. The President also participated in the inspection of the military parade.
Following the official welcome ceremony, President Disanayake and President Steinmeier held bilateral discussions.
The bilateral talks focused on further strengthening economic and international relations between the two nations, with special attention given to enhancing cooperation in vocational training and the tourism industry.
(President’s Media Division)
Showers expected in several areas today
Chinese embassy to launch new online visa system
