News
Applications open for ‘Wasath Siriya- 2024’ New Year Festival competitions
The “Wasath Siriya 2024” celebration for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year will take place on Saturday, 27th April, 2024 at Shangri-La Green, Galle Face, Colombo. This event is being organized by the Welfare Society of the Presidential Secretariat along with other ministries and will be held from 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
The “Wasath Siriya- Miazia musical concert”, will commence at 7:00 pm at the same venue with the participation of popular artistes .
The competitions have been divided into three sections, namely State Section, Open Section, and Guest Section, and feature a total of 11 competitions for both men and women. These competitions are open to staff members of ministries and government institutions, their family members, friends, and children.
Additionally, there will be a segment open to all Sri Lankans, featuring 16 competitive activities. These include the “Pura Sariya” Standard Bicycle Race, Marathon Race, Climbing the sliding tree, Tug of War, Wrestling, Candle Lighting, bursting the Balloon, marking the Elephant’s Eye, Best Smile and the New Year Prince and Princess contests.
Also, there is a guest section for foreign tourists, expatriate staff of diplomatic missions, companies, institutions and hotels. The competitions in this category include marking the Elephant’s Eye, breaking the lucky pot, threading the needle, feeding curd/yoghurt to your partner (Sagayata kiri kaweema), bursting the balloon, lime on the spoon race, musical chairs and musical hats competitions, bun eating contest and drinking milk with a soothe.
Registration forms for the “Wasath Siriya 2024” New Year Prince and Princess, Marathon Race, Standard Cycle Race and Tug of War. Applications can be accessed by visiting the website www.pmd.gov.lk.
For the “Wasath Siriya 2024” New Year Prince/Princess (Open) competition, applicants must submit a recent colour photograph taken within the last three months. All applicants must be unmarried individuals aged between 18 and 30 years. Completed applications should be submitted via WhatsApp at 077-1557146 before 3.00 p.m. on 20th April 2024.
Athletes aged above 16 years are eligible to compete in the “Wasath Siriya” marathon race. To apply, please access the application form via the website www.pmd.gov.lk obtain a certificate from a government registered doctor confirming your fitness to compete. Send the application to “Sri Lanka Army Sports Medicine Division, Army Sports Development Village, Army Colony, Panagoda, Homagama,” with the words “Wasath Siriya Open Marathon 2024” on the top left corner of the envelop.
Alternatively, you can submit a clear photo of the completed application to the Security Division of the Presidential Secretariat or send it via WhatsApp to the number 0710573828.
The applications submitted after 10.00 a.m. 26th April, 2024 will not be considered.
The “Wasath Siriya” Standard Bike Race for Men and Women is co-organized by the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Sri Lanka Cycling Federation. Completed application forms accompanied with a fitness certificate issued by a government registered doctor should be submitted to the Organizing Committee at the address “Wasath Siriya 2024 Bicycle Race”, Sri Lanka Air Force Base, Colombo.” Alternatively, applications can be handed in at the main security office of the Sri Lanka Air Force Base, Colombo, or scanned and sent via WhatsApp to the number 070-3166384. Applications received after 12.00 noon on 25th April 2024, will be disqualified. Applicants will receive notification of acceptance or rejection via WhatsApp. There is no fee for application and registration.
The organizing committee requires the list of all male and female teams participating in the “Wasath Siriya” tug-of-war competition to be submitted three days prior to the event. Each team should consist of 8 members, with an option for two reserve players, bringing the total number of members per team to 10.
The decision of the organizing committee regarding any dispute in the competition conditions is final. For further information, please contact the Coordinator Mrs. Krisanthi Witharana via 0718412300.
(PMD)
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight on Saturday (May 30).
Accordingly,
the price of Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 15 to Rs.407 per liter,
the price of Super Diesel has been increased by Rs. 20 to Rs. 478 per liter.
the price of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 24 to Rs. 434 per liter
the price of Petrol 95 Octane up by Rs. 25 to Rs. 495 per liter
the price of kerosene by Rs. 20 to Rs. 285 per liter.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has called for a comprehensive reform programme within Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy, warning that repeated efforts to strengthen the Sasana have in the past been derailed by opposition from within sections of the Sangha itself.
In a statement addressed to the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters, Kumaratunga stressed that the long-term preservation of Buddhism depends on safeguarding both the Dhamma and Vinaya, or disciplinary code, and urged urgent internal reform to address what she described as deep-rooted structural weaknesses.
She noted that Buddhist history has consistently demonstrated that periods of institutional crisis were addressed through reform processes, citing precedents from the First Buddhist Council to reforms during the Kandyan era under Welivita Sri Saranankara Thera.
Referring to post-independence efforts, Kumaratunga said initiatives taken during the 1956 Bandaranaike administration to strengthen Buddhism were left incomplete following the assassination of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.
She further stated that during her own presidency, plans to convene a Buddhist Council under the guidance of the late Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera had received government backing but were ultimately abandoned due to resistance from certain sections within the clergy.
The former President alleged that, on both occasions, vested interests benefiting from existing weaknesses within the Buddhist establishment had worked to obstruct meaningful reform efforts.
Warning that Buddhism in Sri Lanka is currently facing serious challenges, she called for a broad internal dialogue within the Sangha to identify root causes and implement both short- and long-term corrective measures.
Kumaratunga urged the Mahanayake Theras to take the lead in convening a Dharma Sanghayana, or Buddhist Council, and said she was prepared to work with senior lay Buddhist leaders to support such an initiative.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Friday ordered the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Managing Director Rumi Jauffer and several others over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million belonging to the Tourism Promotion Authority during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign.
Magistrate Pasan Amarasena directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and produce the suspects before court, after it was informed that they would be named under the Public Property Act on the advice of the Attorney General.
The CID told court that attempts to take the suspects into custody from their residences had been unsuccessful as they were not present.
The Magistrate also imposed an overseas travel ban on the suspects and ordered that the Controller of Immigration and Emigration be notified.
Investigations have reportedly revealed that the funds were used to print 12,000 T-shirts bearing an image of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on one side and the name of a political party on the other.
According to the CID, the T-shirts were later distributed at a political event held in the Monaragala District.
Oscar-winning Star Wars editor Marcia Lucas dies aged 80
Hundreds arrested in France after wild Champions League celebrations
‘Disappointing’ – Sangakkara on Sam Curran turning out for Surrey with IPL still on
Truck carrying Afghan returnees from Pakistan flips on highway, killing 18
PSG beat Arsenal to win back-to-back Champions League titles after shootout
What Hegseth’s comments at Shangri-La Dialogue say about US foreign policy
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News2 days agoIMF urges Lanka not to meddle with exchange rate
-
News7 days agoPolice probe underway to ascertain links between criminals deported from UAE and local politicians
-
News6 days agoEaster Sunday carnage: Court told Maulana’s statement cannot be accepted without cross-examination
-
News6 days agoUK passport holder hiding here wants to have deportation order rescinded to leave without blemish
-
Opinion6 days agoUndermining the democratic political framework
-
Features3 days agoThe Division Bell Mystery
-
News7 days agoDickoya double murder suspect arrested
-
Midweek Review5 days agoIsraeli-US aggression won’t go unanswered -Iranian Ambassador