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.
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
News
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
News
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
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