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Indian HC visits descendants of Sanghamitta Maha Theri’s entourage
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha recently visited Vihara Kallanchiya and met the Maha Duraya Jayawardhana and Heads of the nine villages responsible in the current generation for safeguarding the sacred Maha Bodhi tree. Jayawardhana explained to the High Commissioner that they belong to the lineage of Prince Bodhi Guptha. Their forefathers had told them that the members of the original entourage accompanying Sanghamitta Maha Theri hailed from North India. He emphasised that each generation of the families in the nine villages had dutifully and reverently accepted the responsibility from the preceding one.
The Indian HC issued the following statement after Jha’s recent visit to the North Central Province: “Sanghamitta Maha Theri travelled from India to Sri Lanka in 236 BC, during the reign of King Devanampiyathissa, arriving in Sri Lanka with a sapling from the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree on a Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day. Acclaimed research works such as Sinhala Bodhi Wanshaya [Wilgammula Sanga Raja Thera, S. P. (1964). (P. Pangnananda Thera, Ed.). Rathnakara Ltd.] mention that she was accompanied by an entourage consisting of Bhikkhunis, princes and craftsmen. Some among the latter were entrusted with the care, protection and veneration rituals of the sacred Maha Bodhi sapling.
They settled down in villages around Tissa Wewa, close to temples that eventually gave names to the settlements such as Vihara Bulankulama, Vihara Palugama, Vihara Kallanchiya and Vihara Medawachchiya. Based on advice of Arhat Mahinda, the King is said to have asked subsequent generations of the lineage of Prince Bodhi Guptha and Prince Sumitha to perform rituals for the sacred tree.
The High Commissioner conveyed deep respect and admiration for the dedication with which the families had undertaken the revered tasks over generations. He highlighted that they represented one of the most unique links of the shared Buddhist heritage between India and Sri Lanka, and the profound people-to-people connect between the two countries spanning millennia. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to continue to further strengthen the special and robust cultural ties between the two countries.
Anuradhapura Atamasthanadhipathi, Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera, perhaps best summed up the significance of the unique interaction. Aware that the present High Commissioner of India is from Bihar—one of the regions from which the members accompanying Sanghamitta Maha Theri are believed to have hailed from—he conveyed to the Maha Duraya and the Heads of the nine villages that ‘they are receiving a visit from their relative’.”
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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
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