News
Govt. to appoint retired military officer to oversee mining sites

Mysterious disappearance of explosives from Mawanella quarry
By Ifham Nizam
A high ranking retired army officer is to be appointed to oversee all granite quarries handling explosives as the government has commenced an investigation into the incident of damaging a Buddha statue in Mawanella and the disappearance of explosives in a mine in that area.
State Minister Kanaka Herath said that a formal investigation into the incident was already underway and legal action would be taken against those responsible soon.
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has decided to appoint a high ranking retired Army officer to oversee all quarries handling explosives following the disappearance of a stock of explosives from a granite quarry in Mawanella.
Amaraweera said: “This incident is a cause for concern. That is why I decided to appoint the committee. This officer will also look at illegal activities that are taking place in quarries. He will also look into the harm caused to the environment as well as to the people living around quarries”.
The army officer would be attached to the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, the minister said. “The usual practice is that following the issuance of a permit by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau for the quarrying of rock, a report is submitted to the Ministry of Defence to obtain the explosives.”
He said that there had always been concerns that quarry owners obtained more explosives than needed. “Sometimes, we wonder if such a large quantity of granite can be excavated daily. With the disappearance of the explosives from a quarry in Mawanella, we need to figure out if these explosives have found their way into the wrong hands.”
News
Pope Leo appeals for no more war in first Sunday address

Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
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May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM

In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings
The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:
“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.
Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.
This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.
I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.
May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”
News
Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival

Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.
The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.
In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.
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