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Goan pilgrims embark on spiritual journey to Lanka to celebrate feast of St Joseph Vaz

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/29

St Joseph Vaz Chapel near Ampithya Seminary

Panaji Dec 26, 2024 (ToI): After venerating the relics of St Francis Xavier in Goa, a group of 116 faithful will be going on a pilgrimage to Sri Lanka for the feast of yet another saint close to the hearts of Goans, St Joseph Vaz.

The group of devotees from the parishes of Taleigao and Caranzalem will be flying in to celebrate the feast along with the locals on Jan 16.

Archbishop Emeritus Vianny will be celebrating the Mass along with two priests from Caranzalem and Taleigao. The feast Mass will be held in Kandy at the chapel, which was restored during the last feast with contributions from Goa.

Paul Siqueira, the proprietor of the pilgrimage travel company Zion Tours and Travels, told TOI that he was sad to find out that the St Joseph Vaz Chapel near Ampithya Seminary was in a dilapidated condition. With no benches, lights, or fans and with trees growing inside the chapel, he decided to take the lead to get it repaired.

“There was no money to restore the Chapel of St Joseph Vaz, and the locals were deprived of Mass, so we took the lead to raise the money and restore the chapel. After all, he is our saint,” he said. The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Siqueira, and other devotees raised Rs 3.5 lakh towards the chapel’s restoration and renovation. They repaired the roof, bought new benches and fans, installed lights, plastered and painted the walls, and fitted all the electrical connections.

“This time, a benefactor has contributed towards a permanent sound system for the chapel,” Siqueira said. The chapel was restored in time for his canonisation in 2015 but was then neglected. There are also plans for a retreat house and a museum, Siqueira said.

The pilgrims will also visit the tomb believed to be that of Fr Jacome Gonsalves, a missionary from Divar who worked closely with St Joseph Vaz.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

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Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491