News
Avurudu customs and rituals reach China through silk route
Together with the Sri Lanka – China Economic, Education, and Cultural Association (SCEECA), the Lankan mission organized the “Beijing Soorya Mangalya” (National New Year) on 16 April 2023, at the Embassy following rituals, customs and tradition. Over 250 invitees, including, Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thera and his disciples, the Sri Lanka community, Sri Lankan students, and Chinese friends attended.
The event began with the traditional lighting of the New Year Lamp, boiling of milk, serving traditional sweetmeats, Avurudu games, in particular, the tug of war, kana muttiya, musical chairs and the selection of the Avurudu Kumaraya and Avurudu Kumari. The participants were so enthusiastic as these activities brought back fond memories of Sri Lanka.
Avurudu rituals were observed enabling the invitees to observe elements of the Sri Lankan culture and to bring a little bit of the Sri Lankan culture to Beijing. The invitees were later treated to Sri Lankan delicacies, especially Sri Lankan traditional sweetmeats, and lunch.
Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thera, who was present at the event, invoked the blessings of the Triple Gem on the country and the Sri Lankans, and performed the ritual of anointing oil.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona extended warm Avurudu wishes to everyone. He said that Sri Lanka is hoping that the reopening of China will result in many Chinese tourists visiting Sri Lanka and helping to revive its flagging tourist industry which was buffeted by COVID-19. We are grateful that Sri Lanka is in the list of 20 countries published for Chinese tourists to visit. China was the main source of global tourists in 2019. Sri Lanka will warmly welcome our Chinese friends.
Further he said that we are also hoping that more Sri Lankan products, in addition to Ceylon black tea, will be able to enter the lucrative Chinese consumer market. These two initiatives, tourism and trade, together will contribute tremendously to reviving Sri Lanka’s economy and also provide a much-needed impetus to its efforts to eliminate extreme poverty as thousands are dependent on tourism and small-scale agriculture for their livelihood. The development of tourism and the ability to export more of our agricultural products will most certainly assist in our efforts to achieve a sustainable recovery.
The Ambassador also encouraged Chinese conglomerates to invest in the Colombo Port City. Trade, tourism and investments are essential to sustain our recovery. In addition, Sri Lanka also provides excellent educational opportunities, conference facilities, leisure living, a two-thousand-year-old effective alternative medical system, and lots more.
Finally, Dr. Kohona thanked all the embassy staff and the SCEECA members who spared no effort to make this event a grand success.
Latest News
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
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