News
Ven. Bambalapitiye Gnanaloka Thera embarks on European tour
By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London
The Most Venerable Bambalapitiye Gnanaloka Thera is set to begin his highly anticipated visit to Europe with a Dhamma sermon at the International Buddhist Centre in Paris on June 1. His tour will conclude with another Dhamma sermon at the Thames Buddhist Vihara in London on June 23.
This marks Ven. Gnanaloka’s return to Europe since his previous visit in 2017, during which he exclusively delivered Dhamma sermons. This time, his itinerary includes two meditation retreats in addition to his sermons. The first retreat will take place from June 4 to June 8 at the Jethavana Buddhist Vihara in Birmingham, England. The second retreat will be held from June 17 to June 21 at the Thames Buddhist Vihara in London.
Ven. Gnanaloka will deliver a sermon at the Berlin Buddhist Vihara on June 14. All sermons will be conducted in Sinhala, except for one in English at the London Buddhist Vihara on Saturday, June 15.
Born in 1971, Ven. Gnanaloka’s lay name is Shanaka Dharmakirthi. At age 14, he moved with his parents to South Africa and spent his youth in Lesotho. He completed his university education in Cyprus at the age of 23. Ordained in 1999 at 28, he deepened his meditation practices at the Polgasduwa Monastery under the guidance of German national Ven. Gnanavimala Thera. He has since dedicated much of his life to practising intensive meditation in remote areas of Nepal, Tibet’s Kailash mountain range, the Himalayas, and the dense forests of Sri Lanka. Ven. Gnanaloka’s European tour follows a series of Dhamma sermons and meditation programmes in Australia over the past month.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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