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Malwatte chapter appoints Chief Sanghanayaka of England

Published

3 years ago

2023/12/17

Thilina Walpola

High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama presenting the Act of Appointment to Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Nayake Thero

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.

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Cabinet aporives recruitment of Nursing Instructors for Nursing Schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Contract Basis

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

There are 17 nursing schools under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media including the postgraduate primary nursing school.

There are 142 vacancies in the posts of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) as on 31.03.2026 in those schools while 24 officers are to be promoted to the special grade on 31.12.2025 owing to the vacancies existing in the post of Special
Grade Nursing Officer (Education). Therefore, the number of vacancies is to be 166.

In addition, there are 24 vacancies in the post of Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Although at present action has been taken to upgrade the nursing schools to nursing colleges and upgrade the nursing diploma course to nursing degree course, no action has been taken so far to carry out recruitment for the training relevant to the appointment for the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education).

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to recruit retired nursing instructors and nursing instructors who served in the nursing schools belonging to the three armed forces and are retired or have resigned legitimately from service to the post of Grade I / Special Grade Nursing Officer (Education) on contract basis.

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Signing agreement for the establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

It has been decided to establish a BIMSTEC technology transfer facility in Sri Lanka by entering into a Host Country Agreement at the second leaders’ summit of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) held in New Delhi, India, in 2008, with the objective of enhancing regional cooperation.

The relevant cooperation agreement was signed by the member countries at the 5th BIMSTEC summit on 30-03-2022 in Colombo.
The prime objective of this technology transfer facility is to provide technology, capacity building, and management of intellectual property for the micro, small, and medium-scale
enterprises of the BIMSTEC member countries.

According to the cooperation agreement, an agreement should be entered into between Sri Lanka, as the host country, and BIMSTEC Secretariat for formalizing the legal status, privileges, and immunities of the technology transfer facility.

The drafted agreement has received the relevant institutional approval and legal clearance.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Science and Technology to sign the proposed agreement.

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The cabinet approves agreement on mutual legal cooperation in criminal matters between the Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea

Published

2 hours ago

2026/09/1

Priyan

Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 11-12-2023 to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka regarding mutual cooperation
in criminal matters.

However, according to the aforementioned approval, the relevant agreement could not be signed between both parties.

Through this agreement, opportunities will be provided
for mutual assistance to other countries in handing over judicial documents and collecting evidence for the use of criminal case matters.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution provided by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to sign an agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate in criminal matters.