By Norman Palihawadane

A former member of the Puttalam Urban Council has been arrested with a stock of Kerala cannabis, police said.

The suspect was arrested during a search operation conducted in the Thilladiya area of Puttalam Sunday afternoon (18), following a tip-off received by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB).

Police said the suspect had been transporting Kerala cannabis from Thilladiya to Puttalam town when officers intercepted and searched his motorcycle.

The stock of cannabis was found hidden in the motorcycle.

The suspect was due to be produced before the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court last evening(19), according to the PNB.

Text and Pix by S.K. Samaranayake

Chinese Ambassador Wei Huaxiang held discussions with the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters during a visit to Kandy, aimed at strengthening China-Sri Lanka Buddhist and people-to-people ties.

The Ambassador met the Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera, Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, and the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera, Chief Prelate of the Malwatta Chapter, on October 16.

discussions focused on further strengthening Buddhist cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka and promoting bilateral people-to-people cooperation.

Ji Lili, Counsellor for Cultural and Educational Affairs at the Chinese Embassy, also attended the meetings.

Continuing his engagements in Kandy the following day, Ambassador Wei visited Sri Chandananda Buddhist College and met its founder, Most Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Nayaka Thera.

Meeting Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera

The discussions centred on educational cooperation, including opportunities for Sri Lankan students to pursue higher education in China.

Six students from Sri Chandananda Buddhist College are scheduled to begin undergraduate studies at Yunnan University of Science and Technology this year under the Yunnan Provincial Scholarship programme.

During the visit, Ambassador Wei toured the girls’ and boys’ sections of the college, interacted with students and teachers and distributed stationery packs among the students.

The final rites and cremation of the Most Ven. Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayake Thera, Chief Incumbent of the historic Getambe Rajopawanaramaya Temple and Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, will be held under State patronage at 4 pm tomorrow (21).

The cremation ceremony will be held at the Getambe Urban Grounds in Kandy.

The Nayake Thera, 98, passed away on Sunday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kandy. He had been ailing for some time.

A prominent voice on national, religious and cultural issues, Ven. Siriwimala Thera was actively involved in Buddhist revivalist activities and was widely recognised for his outspoken views on matters concerning the country, the nation and Buddhism.

He served as the Chief Incumbent of the historic Getambe Rajopawanaramaya Temple and held the position of Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya.