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Tusker Kandula carries emblem of ‘Janaraja Perahara’ (Pics)
The ‘Janaraja Perahara’ which was hosted by the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, at the request of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, paraded the streets of Kandy last night (19).
Tusker Kandula of the Kelani Rajamaha Vihara carried the emblem of ‘Janaraja Perahara’ while Dalada Kandula and Gemunu from Atthanagalla Rajamaha Vihara accompanied the tusker.
The event, which was held after a gap of 34 years, was organized to coincide with the 75th Independence Anniversary Celebrations and was attended by President Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardhena.
The procession commenced at the Magul Maduwa premises and followed a route that included Dalada Veediya, Yatinuvara Veediya, Kanda Veediya, Raja Veediya, and ended at the temple.
The procession included cultural performances, such as dancing troops and caparisoned elephants, which added glitz and color to the event. A large crowd had gathered to watch the Janaraja Perahara procession.
The Janaraja Perahara was first organized in 1875 to celebrate the arrival of the Duke of Wales, the son of Queen Victoria, to Ceylon.
The procession was also held in 1954 when Queen Elizabeth II, the then-Head of State of Sri Lanka, visited the country. The Queen watched the Janaraja Perahara from the Patthirippuwa. In 1981, a similar procession was held, and Queen Elizabeth II watched the procession from a special platform built in the Maha Maluwa, the main courtyard.
The final Janaraja Perahara was held in 1987 for President J.R. Jayawardene.
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Prof. Nalin de Silva no more
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‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’
The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a statement over reports of Indian companies taking over visa issuance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.
The statement notes “companies referred to in these reports are not India based or Indian and are headquartered elsewhere. Any reference to India in this context is unwarranted.”
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Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)
Questions have been raised after chaos at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake last night (May 01) has sparked widespread outrage.
This is with regard to a controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at BIA by an Indian company – VFS Global since yesterday evening.
It is learnt that the company has levied an extra $25 alongside the standard $75 fee.
Long lines of frustrated travellers were also seen at the airport for several hours, which is a stark difference to the procedure smoothly managed in a matter of mere minutes by the Immigration and Emigration Department in the past.
Footage of a Sri Lankan citizen expressing outrage over Indian nationals deciding visa matters for fellow Sri Lankans, has also been making rounds on social media.
Although 10 Sri Lankan and Indian officers had commenced work from 5.00pm yesterday, the lines remained well over 9.00pm. Amid tensions, higher officials of the BIA and security forces had also arrived at the premises.
At 11.30pm the company officials temporarily suspended issuing visas and left the BIA with the money collected, reports say.
Upon the directive of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration – Harsha Ilukpitiya, Immigration officers have commenced their usual duties with no issues since then, enabling the previous process to continue smoothly.
Concerns have been raised over the lack of transparency in this arrangement.
Prof. Nalin de Silva no more
‘Company issuing visa at BIA not Indian or Indian based’
Chaos at BIA raises questions (Video)
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