News
High costs dampen Vesak celebrations
Commemorating Vesak this year has been hard hit by electricity costs and soaring prices hikes resulting in pruning down the number of Vesak pandals and decorations as well as Dansals in Colombo, organizers said.
Most of the decorations to be seen were organized by the police and security forces as private parties were not willing to erect Vesak pandals at sites they are normally seen in Colombo, they said.
Several programmes planned in the Metropolis beginning from May 3 to May 6 to celebrate the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival were succesfully concluded. The events were held at Galle Face Green, Shangri-La Green, and Presidential Secretariat premises
A Bakthi Geetha recital took place on the steps of the Presidential Secretariat on May 3 and 4 and President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the event. The same recital was scheduled to be held at the same location on May 4.
A stage built on the Shangri-La green grounds was used for distributing school supplies to 40 novice monks and 1,200 school children on May 5.At 7.00 pm at the same venue, the Maha Karuna Buddhist Association of Singapore and Willing Hearts Foundation of Singapore were due to hold a Rice Dansala on May 5 and 6.
The Sri Lanka Navy, Civil Security Department, Youth Service Council, and Sri Lanka Army were due to hold Bakthi Geetha recitals and light Vesak illuminations at the stage built on the Shangri-La Green on May 5, Vesak day.
Police spokesman, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said on Friday that police would strictly enforce traffic laws during the Vesak period. He added that in recent years, motorists expected leniency from the police during festive seasons.
“Although only two people can ride a motorbike, we see several people on bikes coming into Vesak zones. They often drive recklessly. It’s the same with three wheelers. Five- six people travel in them. We will fine them and take legal action against such individuals this time,” he said.
He said that young people are seen wearing Guy Fawkes masks and they annoy and disturb others who have come to enjoy Vesak.
“Also, we would like to ask motorists not to park their vehicles in a way that obstructs the roads. Don’t park on pavements and don’t park in any way that bothers others. We will tow your vehicles away,” he warned.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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