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New viewing pavilion to commemorate 153rd anniversary of historic Panadura Debate

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Sponsor Jagath Sumathipala and the Sangha from Rankoth Vihara where the museum is located

By Nishantha Chaminda Peiris

The ‘Panadura Debate’ stands out as a globally renowned event in the history of Sri Lanka.

Today marks the 153rd anniversary of this debate. Held in Panadura on August 26 and 28, 1873, this exchange was an ideological clash between the Buddhist and Christian communities.

Public debates emerged across the country in response to anti-Buddhist propaganda launched by English missionary movements during the era of British colonial rule; these came to be known as the ‘Pancha Maha Vada’ (Five Great Debate).

Statute of Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Thero

The Panadura Debate gained international attention due to the publication of the book titled”*Full “Account of the Buddhist Controversy Held at Panadura” in several countries; it also became widely known under titles such as “The Great Debate: Buddhism and Christianity Face to Face.”

In 2025, UNESCO inscribed the collection of historical documents—including the manuscripts related to the Panadura Debate—into the Memory of the World Register, recognizing its exceptional historical significance. These documents are currently housed at the Rankoth Vihara in Panadura.

Coinciding with this year’s 153rd commemoration, work has commenced on the construction of a special exhibition hall that will provide the public with the opportunity to view artifacts—including the aforementioned documents and ancient palm-leaf manuscripts preserved at the Rankoth Vihara in Panadura.

The construction work was recently inspected by the Chief Incumbent of the Panadura Rankoth Vihara, Ven. Prof. Kahapola Sugatha Rathana Thero, the Vihara Administrator, Ven. Kahapola Nanda Rathana Thero, and Ven. Panadure Prasanna Thero, together with Desamanya Mr.Jagath Sumathipala—Chairman of the Bauddhaloka Foundation, which sponsors this project—and others. This special exhibition hall is scheduled to be opened to the public at the end of the coming September.


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Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis

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2026/09/1

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There are 17 nursing schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media including the postgraduate primary nursing school.

There are 142 vacancies in the posts of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) as on 31.03.2026 in those schools while 24 officers are to be promoted to the special grade on 31.12.2025 owing to the vacancies existing in the post of Special
Grade Nursing Officer (Education). Therefore, the number of vacancies is to be 166.

In addition, there are 24 vacancies in the post of Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Although at present action has  been taken to upgrade the nursing schools to nursing colleges and upgrade the nursing diploma course to nursing degree course, no action has  been taken so far to carry out recruitment for the training relevant to the appointment for the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to recruit  retired nursing instructors and nursing instructors who served in the nursing schools belonging to the three armed forces and are retired or have resigned legitimately from service to the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) on contract basis.

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Signing  agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

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8 hours ago

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2026/09/1

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It has been decided to establish a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka by entering into a Host Country Agreement at the second leaders’ summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation.

The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by the member countries at the 5th BIMSTEC summit on 30-03-2022 in Colombo.
The prime objective of this technology transfer facility is to provide technology, capacity building, and management of intellectual property for the micro, small, and medium-scale
enterprises of the BIMSTEC member countries.

According to the cooperation agreement, an agreement should be entered into between Sri Lanka, as the host country, and  BIMSTEC  Secretariat for formalizing the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the technology transfer facility.

The drafted agreement has received the relevant institutional approval and legal clearance.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to sign the proposed agreement.

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 The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea

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2026/09/1

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Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 11-12-2023 to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka regarding mutual cooperation
in criminal matters.

However, according to the aforementioned approval, the relevant agreement could not be signed between both parties.

Through this agreement, opportunities will be provided
for mutual assistance to other countries in handing over judicial documents and collecting evidence for the use of criminal case matters.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution provided by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate in criminal matters.

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