The Upali Group of Companies, its employees and sales agents countrywide, have made arrangements to invoke blessings on its founder, Upali Wijewardene, who disappeared in his Lear jet 43 years ago. Bodhi Pooja, Pahan Pooja and an alms-giving will be held, in his memory, on 13 Feb.

A special Bodhi Pooja will be held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya at 6 p.m. on 13 Feb., with the blessings of Prof. Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangarakkhitha Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

Arrangements have been made to offer alms to the Maha Sangha at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya and scholarships to 10 needy children from the Helena Wijewardene Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya.

Alms-giving to the inmates of the Home for the Elders at Mulgampola, Kandy, Bodhi Pooja Pinkama and Kavi Bana Pinkama, from 4.30 p.m. onwards, at the Ceylon Chocolates factory premises. Bodhi Pooja, Pahan Pooja and Kavibana deshana will be held at Vidya Niketha Piriven Viharaya, Sapugoda Kamburupitiya.

Bodhi Pooja, Pahan Pooja and Kavibana deshana will be held at Maha Saman Devalaya at Ratnapura.

The employees of Upali Consumer Products have arranged an alms-giving lunch at the ‘Children’s Home’ at Ja-Ela.

Founder’s Day Programme on February 13, 2026.

9.00 a.m. – Holy Mass at Mattakkuliya Church.

10.00 a.m. – Offering of Buddhapooja at the `Dhathumandiriya .

10.30 a.m. – Scholarships to 10 needy children from Helena Wijewardene Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya.

11.30 a.m. – Alms-giving for the Maha Sangha at Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

12 noon – Providing lunch for the Children’s Home, Ja-Ela, organised by the employees of Upali Trading Co. Ltd.

6.00 p.m. – Bodhi Pooja and Pahan Pooja at Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

All these pinkamas (meritorious acts) are organised by Upali Group employees and the newspapers Kandos/Delta and soap agents.

The 43rd commemoration and religious programme is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m. at the Bodhi tree of the Upali Industries Complex in Galawilawatte, Homagama, with the participation of staff members of the Upali Group of Companies.A Bodhi pooja is scheduled to be held today by Ven. Ambanwala Gnanaloka Thero at the Weheragoda Purana Maha Viharaya in Wellampitiya.

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to abolish all cremation and burial fees within its municipal limits.

Colombo Mayor Vraîe Cally Balthazaar told the media that it had been decided to abolish cremation and burial fees charged from residents within the Colombo Municipal limits, during a meeting of the local council held on Tuesday (10 Feb).

According to members’ views, the proposal was presented by the Colombo Mayor and unanimously approved during the discussion.

As a result, residents of the Colombo city will not have to pay for cremations and burials at the Borella, Jawatte, Madampitiya, and Kirulapone cemeteries.Previously, a fee of Rs. 10,000 was charged. The opposition and government members noted that the low income families could not afford the fee.

The 175th anniversary celebrations of S. Thomas’ College took place in Mount Lavinia last week. A significant event was the launch of a book, “Enduring Works: The Thomian Journey” by Uditha Devapriya. Warden Asanka Perera presented a complementary copy of the book to Professor G.L.Peiris, a distinguished alumnus of the College.