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Okinawa holds special religious events to mark 80th anniversary of WWII’s final battle
In solemn remembrance of the 80th anniversary of the final battle of the Second World War in Okinawa, special religious ceremonies were held at the Okinawa Peace Memorial Monuments, specifically at the Konpoku-no-To (Tower of the Souls). These events honoured the memory of over 250,000 soldiers and civilians—both known and missing—who perished during the fierce fighting from April 2 to June 22, 1945, between American and Imperial Japanese forces.
The ceremonies were organized by the Okinawa Maha Bodhi Tree Garden Society and Okinawa Buddhist communities under the leadership of Dr. Nobuo Nagamine. The remains of more than 35,000 innocent Okinawan civilians, enshrined at the site, were especially commemorated.
Ven Dr. K. Siri Sumedha Thero, President of the Indo-Sri Lanka International Buddhist Association and High Priest of the Jambudvipa Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sarnath, India, was invited to lead the memorial prayers. He was joined by Rev. Nagatani Masashi, Head Priest of the Grand Higashi Hongganji Temple.
The event saw wide participation, including Dr. Asato and Dr. Mrs. Inatomi of the Okinawa Hospital Association, along with hundreds of local citizens, who came together in a powerful expression of peace and remembrance.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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