News

Buddhist delegation praises Pakistan for its commitment to preserving Buddhist heritage

Published

5 years ago

2021/04/28

Maj. Gen. (R) Saad Khattak meets the delegation on its arrival in Colombo (pic courtesy Pakistan HC)

The Chief incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple Ven Dr. Assaji Thera said that Pakistani authorities were keen on the views expressed by a delegation of Buddhist monks during a recent visit to Pakistan. The Ven Thera said so on his return to Colombo on Monday (26).

The following is the text of a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission yesterday: “The Most Venerable Buddhist Monks delegation on a goodwill visit to Pakistan from 19-26th April, 2021 returned to Colombo on Monday 26th April and were received by the High Commissioner of Pakistan Major General (R) Muhammad Saad Khattak along with other senior officers of its High Commission in Colombo at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

While welcoming the Most Venerable Monks on their return, the High Commissioner Maj. Gen. (R) Saad Khattak said that the highly successful tour was organized by the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo and was the culmination of ongoing efforts for enhancing people-to-people contacts and Buddhist religious tourism between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The High Commissioner expressed his gratitude to the Most Venerable Monks for undertaking the tour and the Government of Sri Lanka for facilitating the same. He also appreciated the role and efforts of the security forces, the National Heritage & Culture Division and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad for conducting the visit in the most befitting manner. He underscored that the meetings of the Monks with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan reflected the strong bilateral relations and deep commitment of the leadership and people of Pakistan towards Sri Lanka.

On behalf of the delegation, the Venerable Dr. Assaji Thera, Chief incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and for the personal involvement of the High Commissioner of Pakistan in extending immense support in arranging the tour, which provided an invaluable opportunity to visit and experience the glorious Buddhist heritage and relics in Pakistan. He highlighted that the Pakistani authorities and officials gave top priority to their comfort and safety during their stay and were also keen on their views and recommendations on improving facilities for Buddhist pilgrims in the country.

The accompanying coordinating official from the Sri Lankan side, Dr. Asela Wickrmasinghe, highlighted Pakistan Government’s vision to develop Buddhist tourism between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to which end the visit of a group of 11 senior Buddhist monks was organized by the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo in order to explore the Buddhist heritage in Pakistan. He expressed his gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the High Commission for this initiative and for the wonderful and enthusiastic hospitality of the Pakistani people towards Sri Lankans during their visit. He further highlighted that they were able to witness first-hand the respect that Pakistani citizens have for other religions and their keenness to preserve Buddhist heritage in the country. He also highlighted that as a result of the linkages built with various stakeholders during the visit, arrangements were in process for a Buddhist pilgrimage visit of Sri Lankans to Pakistan in the near future.

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News

Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)

Published

11 hours ago

2026/09/7

Priyan

The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.

The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.

News

‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban

Published

13 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

Premalal

By Norman Palihawadane

The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.

The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.

The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.

The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.

The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.

Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.

Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.

The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.

The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.

The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.

During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.

The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.

President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.

Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.

Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.

News

Dengue death toll rises to 73

Published

13 hours ago

2026/09/7

Thilina Walpola

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.

The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.

Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.

Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.

The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.