The British School in Colombo celebrated Sri Lanka’s 78th year of Independence through a flag-hoisting ceremony at a Special National Day Assembly held at the school premises recently.

The ceremony included a series of traditional cultural dance performances, both eastern and western, as the whole school joined in celebrating the 78th Sri Lanka Independence Day with pride and enthusiasm.

The junior and senior students celebrated the rich diversity of the international learning community during this Special Assembly which was held under the patronage of Principal Hannah Wells.

The British School community, which is made up of over 50 nationalities, is a symbol of unity and tolerance, like Sri Lanka’s richness of culture that comes from being part of a multi-faceted and multicultural contact.

Sampath Bank has partnered with the Chamber of Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) to launch the Sampath COYLE Mastercard World Affinity Credit Card, an exclusive offering for COYLE members. Designed for Sri Lanka’s leading entrepreneurs, the premium metal card combines global access, travel and lifestyle benefits, and a reward system that enables meaningful contributions to COYLE’s welfare and development initiatives. The card reflects leadership and distinction, providing features such as airport lounge access, overseas travel insurance, and concierge services, while turning everyday spending into support for the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Darshin Pathinayake, Chief Business Intelligence Officer of Sampath Bank, highlighted that the partnership strengthens relationships with influential business leaders and aligns financial solutions with their global outlook and expectations. Sandun Hapugoda of Mastercard emphasized the card’s premium design and benefits, while COYLE Chairman Manjula Wijesundara noted that each transaction contributes to programs supporting entrepreneurs nationwide. The initiative reinforces entrepreneurs’ roles as drivers of economic growth and collective progress in Sri Lanka.

As part of the national initiative ‘Godanamu Adhisthanayen Sanhinda’ to rehabilitate religious sites damaged by Cyclone ‘Ditwah,’ a symbolic ceremony was held last Monday (16) to hand over compensation for the restoration of the Gatambe Rajopavanarama Temple and the Panideniya Bharati Vidyayathana Pirivena.

The event was presided over by Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake. According to the Ministry, Rs. 9.1 million has been allocated for the Gatambe Rajopavanarama Temple, while the Panideniya Bharati Vidyayathana Pirivena will receive Rs. 2 million.

During the visit to Gatambe Temple, Dissanayake and invited guests sought blessings from the Anunayake of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Ven. Keppetiyagoda Siri Wimala Thero, and participated in discussions on the ongoing reconstruction work. The delegation later visited Panideniya Pirivena, where, under the guidance of Chief Incumbent and Principal Ven. Ambaliyadde Sangharatana Nayaka Thero, renovation work was officially launched.

Addressing the gathering, Dissanayake said the Government has launched several programs to safeguard and strengthen the Sambuddha Sasana. These include restoring approximately 1,400 religious sites damaged by Cyclone ‘Ditwah,’ the “Budu Puth Mapiya Niwahana” project to build homes for low-income parents who dedicate their children to the monkhood, and the “Jeewayata Urumayak” initiative aimed at conserving 1,000 neglected archaeological sites.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Ministers Prasanna Gunasena and Hansaka Wijayamuni, MP Thanura Dissanayake, Kandy Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatta, Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretary Amila Navaratne, and Assistant Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs Anuruddha Bandara, along with a host of other dignitaries.

By S.K. Samaranayake