SriLankan Airlines has unveiled a landmark international branding initiative to promote the Colombo Nawam Maha Perahera 2026, one of the country’s most distinguished religious and cultural festivals. The initiative is showcased on an Airbus A320neo, transforming the aircraft into a flying ambassador of Sri Lanka’s living heritage.

Through a specially designed aircraft livery, SriLankan Airlines now carries the prestige, spirituality, and cultural identity of the Nawam Maha Perahera across its international route network. This initiative positions the Perahera not only as a sacred Buddhist procession, but also as a major cultural and tourism attraction, highlighting

Colombo as a destination of heritage, harmony, and tradition.

Organised under the auspices of the Gangaramaya Temple, the Nawam Maha Perahera is internationally recognised for its historical significance, spiritual depth, and ceremonial grandeur. The concept for this international branding initiative was initiated by Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, who recognised aviation as a powerful platform for cultural diplomacy and global storytelling.

The successful realisation of this initiative has been made possible through the collective efforts of the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, devoted devotees and supporters, and the institutional collaboration of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Aviation, together with the full cooperation of SriLankan Airlines. The entire international aircraft branding initiative has been fully funded by the Gangaramaya Temple, together with the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, reflecting the commitment of the Temple and its devotees to preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural heritage on a global stage.

SriLankan Airlines extended its support across all levels of the organisation. Special appreciation is extended to the Chairman, Board of Directors, senior management, engineering and technical teams, designers, operational staff, and frontline employees, whose combined expertise and dedication transformed this cultural vision into reality.

Recently, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with members of the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, visited the SriLankan Airlines engineering and operations premises in Katunayake, accompanied by resident young Buddhist monks from the Gangaramaya Temple. During the visit, the delegation observed the progress of the aircraft branding work and offered blessings to the SriLankan Airlines team, expressing appreciation for their professionalism and commitment.

As the Airbus A320neo travels from city to city and culture to culture, it carries with it the story of Gangaramaya Temple, the Nawam Maha Perahera, and Sri Lanka’s enduring cultural values—fostering international awareness and strengthening the country’s image as a destination of faith, heritage, and cultural pride.

This initiative stands as a strong example of how religion, culture, tourism, and national aviation can work together in unity to elevate Sri Lanka’s presence on the global stage in the lead-up to the Colombo Nawam Maha Perahera 2026.

Statements have been recorded from six individuals, including senior officials of the National Institute of Education (NIE), in connection with the inclusion of a link to a pornographic website in a Grade Six English learning module, according to police headquarters sources.

Those questioned include module writers attached to the NIE’s Academic Affairs Division, as well as officials involved in the review, editing and proofreading of the material.

Meanwhile, an Education Ministry official said a separate preliminary inquiry into the NIE’s module development process was being carried out by a committee chaired by Ranjith Ariyaratne. Reports from both inquiries are expected to be submitted next week.

Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne told the media that measures were underway to strengthen the module preparation process at the NIE, with guidance from a panel of subject experts. He said extensive discussions had been held with senior NIE officials on January 16, and stressed that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation reports.

Following the disclosure of the incident, NIE Director General Prof. Manjula Vidanapathirana resigned from her post to facilitate the investigations. However, sources said no statement had been recorded from her, as her role was limited to administrative responsibilities.

By Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva ✍️

Wild crocodiles can be trained to avoid eating invasive species — a breakthrough that offers real hope for conservation in a rapidly changing world, according to world-renowned reptile biologist Dr. Ruchira Somaweera, addressing a packed audience at the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) Monthly Lecture, sponsored by Nations Trust Bank (NTB), at the BMICH this week.

Presenting some of the first field-based evidence of learning-driven conservation in Australia, Dr. Somaweera revealed how crocodiles were successfully conditioned to reject toxic cane toads before the invasive species reached their habitats — dramatically improving survival rates.

“This is not theory anymore. This works in the wild,” Dr. Somaweera said.

“We can teach predators in advance not to eat something that will kill them.”

The method, known as conditioned taste aversion, involves exposing crocodiles to small, non-lethal toads that make them sick but allow them to survive. The experience teaches the animal to permanently associate the smell, taste and appearance of the toad with danger.

“When they encounter a toad again, they bite and release it,” he explained. “That single learning event can save their lives.”

Dr. Somaweera said the research — developed over nearly two decades — marks a shift away from traditional conservation approaches that rely on relocation or population control.

“This is creative conservation,” he told the audience. “It’s taking behavioural science and turning it into action.”

He described the challenges of applying the technique in the wild, including designing baiting systems that crocodiles would actually respond to.

“Nothing was straightforward,” he said. “If you put bait on land, everything eats it. If you put it in water, it sinks. Crocodiles also need movement or vibration to strike.”

Custom-built devices developed by his students eventually solved the problem, allowing researchers to train wild crocodiles in isolated waterholes ahead of cane toad invasions. Long-term studies showed that the learning persisted, enabling more crocodiles to survive and reproduce.

Beyond crocodiles, Dr. Somaweera’s lecture highlighted how invasive species, climate change and urbanisation are reshaping animal behaviour, often in unexpected ways.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️