Photo Story
‘Shree Ramayan Trails’ set to revitalize tourism (Pics)
Indian High Commissioner in Colombo – Mr. Santosh Jha has said that Tourism promotion has been an ‘important source of economic activity’ for Sri Lanka and ‘promotion of Ramayana trail holds a significant promise.’
He said this during the official launch of the “Shree Ramayan Trails” Project organised by the Supreme Global Holdings group yesterday (April 21) in Colombo.
He added that the ‘Ramayana trail also confirms the deep people-to-people connect and shared civilisational antiquity of India and Sri Lanka.’
“I must also recall that our leaders have pledged to promote the Buddhist circuit and the Ramayana trail in both our countries in the Vision Document that was issued when our leaders – President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi – had their summit meeting in New Delhi in July 2023. I must add that this is the vision of our leaders that guides our actions today in all areas,” he added.
“Our effort to establish the land bridge, on which we have begun our joint work, promises to further provide fillip to our ongoing efforts to promote tourism between our two countries. No doubt that it will be a game changer. It will, of course, bring many benefits to communities along the alignment of this connectivity but more specifically, it will make Ramayana and Buddhism tourism easier and more alluring to people on both sides,” the High Commissioner added.
The High Commissioner joined the inauguration event of Ramayana Trail Project in Sri Lanka along with a host of dignitaries including Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj – Treasurer of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Sagala Ratnayaka – Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor to Sri Lanka’s President, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and former member of the European and British Parliament Niranjan Dev Adhitya.
The ‘Shree Ramayan Trails’ project aims to transform nine key sites across Sri Lanka into world-class monuments, epitomizing the spiritual and historical essence of the epic Ramayana, with cutting edge technology.
From Adam’s Bridge in the Mannar Basin to Seetha Eliya in Nuwara Eliya, each site is chosen to tell a part of the Ramayana story in a way that is tangible and transformative. According to the Supreme Global Holdings group, these sites will serve as beacons of cultural heritage and spiritual introspection, drawing visitors from around the globe.
This project, executed by Supreme Global Holdings in partnership with powerful regional investors, is an investment of over USD 50 million and aims to boost tourism and bilateral ties while fusing history, heritage, culture and spirituality with technology.
News
A/L top achievers in North, felicitated (Pics)
Three hundred students from the Northern Province who excelled in all subject streams of the 2023 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will each receive a grant of Rs. 100,000 from the President’s Fund.
As part of a newly launched initiative to honour high-performing students at the district level for the 2023/2024 G.C.E. A/L Examination, the President’s Fund hosted an award ceremony this morning (22) at the Iranamadu Nelum Piyasa Auditorium in the Northern Province.
During the event, 300 students from the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya, specifically 60 students per district, with the top 10 students from each subject stream, were recognised and presented with financial awards for their outstanding academic performance. The President’s Fund has allocated a total of Rs. 30 million for this initiative, which is expected to be extended to all districts in the future.
Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, addressed the gathering and noted that following the formation of the new government, the President’s Fund has been restructured and expanded under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He emphasised that the Fund now operates with increased transparency, correcting past irregularities to ensure benefits are directed to the truly deserving. Dr. Kumanayake also mentioned ongoing efforts to digitise the Fund and decentralise its services to improve accessibility and efficiency.
He further highlighted that education is the key to a successful life and urged the students to take full advantage of the support provided, pursue academic excellence, become responsible citizens and contribute positively to the country’s development.
Also addressing the event were Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne and Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar.
A vote of thanks was delivered by Abhishek, a student from Jaffna Hindu College, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President and the President’s Fund. He described the programme as a valuable opportunity for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue higher education and achieve their goals.
In attendance at the ceremony were Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development Upali Samarasinghe, Members of Parliament K. Ilankumaran, Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy and M. Jagadeeswaran, along with other public representatives. Also present were Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, senior officials from the Fund, government officers, heads of security forces, parents and students.
(President’s Media Division)
News
11th International Day of Yoga celebrated in Colombo (Pics)
The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated with great enthusiasm by the High Commission of India in Colombo and its cultural arm, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Sri Lanka at the historic Independence Square in Colombo today (June 21).
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, highlighted the universal relevance of yoga in fostering harmony between humans and nature.
The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha, joined the celebrations along with distinguished guests including Minister of Science and Technology – Dr. Chrishantha Abeysena, Minister of Labour and the Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka – Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Minister of Defence – Major General K. P. Aruna Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs – Gamagedara Dissanayake Deputy Minister of Sports – Sugath Thilakaratna, and other senior dignitaries.
The event began with a spiritual invocation through prayers by Most Ven. Dr. Maitipe Wimalasara Nayaka Thera and the Maha Sangha, who offered blessings for peace and well-being. A dynamic and refreshing yoga and meditation session followed, conducted by experts from renowned yoga institutions in India and Sri Lanka. The event brought together hundreds of yoga enthusiasts, dignitaries, and students in a shared spirit of wellness and unity. As part of the celebrations, a specially curated Yoga Pendrive and a Sinhala translation of the Hatha Yoga Pradeepika were launched, aiming to make authentic yoga knowledge more accessible. Complementing the main event in Colombo, the Consulates in Hambantota and Jaffna, along with the Assistant High Commission in Kandy, also organized special events – reflecting the enthusiastic and widespread participation in the 11th International Day of Yoga across Sri Lanka.
In a significant prelude to the main event, the Department of Ayurveda, Ministry of Health, Government of Sri Lanka and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre jointly organized a landmark, island-wide celebration of the International Day of Yoga on 19 June 2025, with simultaneous yoga sessions held in 113 Ayurveda hospitals and four universities across all nine provinces – marking the first time such a nationwide initiative has been undertaken in Sri Lanka in a unified fashion.
It may be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution piloted by India in 2014, proclaiming June 21 each year as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution was supported by more than 170 countries, with Sri Lanka being one of its proud co-sponsors.
Photo Story
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar : A tapestry of history, colour & life (Pics / Video)
The International Grand Bazaar Xinjiang is an Islamic bazaar in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China and considered as one of the largest bazaars in the world.
Embodying the spirit of the ancient silk road, the bazaar is a colourful tapestry of Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, tourism and entertainment.
Inaugurated in 2003, it is now a key sightseeing and shopping destination in Urumqi and is visited by thousands each day.
The grand bazaar is a poem of architecture : sky high golden domes, turquoise-tiled minarets and corridors adorned with carved brickwork… every corner feels like an elaborate page from an ancient Persian manuscript.
It is a magical treasure trove of local delights… Bustling stalls filled with hand-painted ceramics, gleaming knives, embroidered doppa hats, soft rainbow coloured silks and impressive carpets with elaborate motifs … local dried fruit, nuts, medicinal herbs, soft carpets, jades, ethnic costumes and whatnot…
As the sun sets, warm lights start to glow over sizzling lamb kebabs, steamed samsa and honey-drenched desserts. Although I heard the energy of the night market is pure electricity, it was regrettable that I was unable to stay so late.
Amid the throbbing crowds, dancers spinning in silk… the sounds of the ‘Dutar’ lute echoing the pure spirit of Xinjiang.
(Pics / Video : Kelum Shivantha, reporting from Urumqi)
NTC approves 2.5% reduction in bus fares (Update)
2025 A/L exam dates announced
