News
Malwatte chapter appoints Chief Sanghanayaka of England
Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London
In a ceremony held in Manchester last week, Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent overseeing the Manchester Ketumati and Leeds Buddhist Temples in the UK, as well as the Tulawala Sumanasaramaya in Sri Lanka, was appointed as the Chief Sanghanayaka of England by the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya.
The event was graced by the presence of notable figures within the Buddhist community, including Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Nayaka Thera, Secretary to the Malwatte Chapter Sangha Sabawa, Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Thera, the Head of London Buddhist Vihara and the Head of Jethavana Buddhist Vihara Ven. Keppitiyagoda Gunawansa Thera among others. Also present were guests such as Lady Mayoress Yasmin Dar, local council members, community leaders, and Sri Lankan residents in Manchester.
The ceremonial Akthapatra was presented by High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama who conveyed warm regards from President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lankan Government, praising the Nayaka Thera’s commitment to serving the British Sri Lankan Community in Greater Manchester.
Ven. Piyatissa Nayaka Thera’s tireless devotion to propagating Buddhism in the United Kingdom is evident through his establishment of the Ketumati Buddhist Vihara in Manchester in 1999 and the Leeds Buddhist Vihara in 2017. Furthermore, his dedication to the cause of Dhammaduta Mehawera has extended across continents, with efforts in Africa and Europe.
This appointment is regarded by the Buddhist community of Sri Lankan descent as a testament to his invaluable service, dedication, and contributions to the propagation of Buddhist teachings, not only in the UK but across international borders.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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