News
A great Buddhist monk honoured
A felicitation ceremony is scheduled to be held with great reverence tomorrow (May 3) at 2:30 p.m. at the BMICH to honour Most Ven. Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwara Kalaviya and Atamasthanadhipathi, who has received an honorary doctorate from the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Saranath, Varanasi, India.
‘Honour those who are worthy of honour’ is one of tenets in the Buddha’s teachings. Honouring the honourable is, on one hand, an expression of the spiritual richness of a society, and on the other, a gesture of gratitude.
Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera is a Buddhist monk who has taken on great responsibilities beyond his age. He was appointed Chief Incumbent of Jethavanaramaya in 1989. In 1990, he became the Deputy Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwara Kalaviya, and in 1997, he was appointed Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya Chaitya as well as the Chief Sanghanayaka of Nuwara Kalaviya.
Following the passing of the former Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayaka Thera, Ven. Pallegama Thera was appointed Atamasthanadhipathi (Chief Custodian of the Eight Sacred Sites of Anuradhapura) in 2022. This appointment was made by the unanimous decision of the Atamasthana Executive Council.
Most Ven. Hemarathana Thera was born as Karandagolla Walawwe Nandaseena on 25 June, 1954 at Pallegama, Dambulla. He was the only child of Kiribanda Nilame of Karandagolla Walawwa and Karuna Kumarihamy. He received his primary education at Bulagala Primary School, Pewehera Welihela School, and Sri Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya, Palleagama, Kandalama. In 1968, at the age of 14, he arrived at the Ruwanweliseya Maha Vihara. At that time, the Atamasthanadhipathi was the late Ven. Uduruwa Halmillawa Sri Revatha Thera, and the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya Chaitya was the late Ven. Palleagama Sirisumana Dhamma Rakkhita Thera. Under their guidance, he was ordained in 1968 under the name Pallegama Hemarathana.
Little Hemarathana Thera received his initial monastic education at the Mahavihara Pirivena in Anuradhapura. Later, in 1971, he continued his advanced studies at Maligakanda Vidyodaya Pirivena, and in 1975, at the Sandalankawa Shastrodaya Pirivena where he studied Oriental Studies, and after passing the Oriental Studies and GCE O-Level Examination.
He later earned a BA (Special) in archaeology from the University of Kelaniya.
With the launch of the Anuradhapura Mahavihara Project by the Cultural Fund, the full responsibility for supervising all related activities was entrusted to Ven. Hemarathana Thera. As part of this project, the Weli Maluhwa around the Ruwanweliseya Stupa was cleared and restored. Prior to this effort, visitors to the site could see only a wild thicket on a slope.
The area outside the Eth Pavura Wall of the stupa was covered in dense brush, spreading over approximately six acres. Clearing those sand-covered hills was a laborious, extremely challenging, yet highly delicate task. However, Ven. Hemarathana Thera successfully overcame that difficult challenge.
The primary responsibility of a Bhikkhu is to act for the advancement of the Sasana as well as for the welfare and happiness of the majority of people. To fulfil this responsibility, a disciple of the Buddha must be endowed with virtue, wisdom, and strength. They must be disciplined, upright, and conduct themselves with dignity and decorum.
Most Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera is a noble monk who embodies all of these noble qualities. He leads a life of great simplicity. Humility and modesty are innate traits inherited from birth. The presence of a poetic soul in him further enhances his personal charisma and spiritual grace.
Most Ven. Hemarathana Thera is an exceptionally talented and poetic genius is unmatched. From a young age, he showed a deep affinity for poetry, and his creative brilliance branched out and flourished like a blossoming tree, especially because of his association with Rajarata Sevaya of the SLBC.
Most Ven. Hemarathana Thera has contributed significantly to the enrichment of Sinhala song literature by producing a series of popular, meaningful songs. In 2004, he released his first audio cassette titled “Sanda Eliya” (Moonlight), along with a compact disc and a lyric anthology titled “Atheetha Sihineyak” (A Dream of the Past). In 2009, he released a song collection titled “Seetha Gangula Wage” (Like a Cold Stream), which earned him the Vidyodaya Literary Award.
In 2011, he received the Best Film Song Award for writing the lyric “Sansaare Maha Bara Podi” (The Heavy Bundle of Samsara) for the film Mahindagamanaya.
With a wide range of abilities, Ven. Hemarathana Thera is also a brilliant Dhamma preacher. Having rendered immeasurable service to the nation, religion, and literature, I wish him wholeheartedly:
“Chirang Jayatu!” – May he live long and triumph!
by Ven. Dr. Assaji Thera
Chief incumbent of the Gangaramaya
Latest News
A strong Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system equips individuals with practical, relevant, and future-oriented skills helping to innovate responsibly towards a greener and sustainable future – PM
The Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated as the Chief Guest in the international conference on ’Transforming TVET Systems for climate resilience and green jobs’ organized by Colombo Plan Staff College, Philippines together with the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Sri Lanka on 24 th of March at Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Conference serves as the flagship event of the five-day Regional Programme on “Transforming TVET for a Digital, Green, and Inclusive Economy” (23-27 March 2026), which continues throughout the week, bringing together representatives from CPSC member countries including Bhutan, Fiji, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, fostering high-level dialogue and knowledge sharing on climate-resilient and green skills development.
The Conference features technical and plenary sessions on climate-responsive TVET systems, green skills development, national policy frameworks, and emerging technologies shaping industry transformation.
Addressing at the event, the Prime Minister emphasized the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) that equips individuals with practical, relevant, and future-oriented skills in addressing climate change and shaping a sustainable future.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that this transformation remains a national priority for Sri Lanka. She stressed that education must go beyond knowledge dissemination to empower individuals with opportunities, dignity, and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to society.
She further emphasized the need to integrate environmental sustainability into education and training systems by embedding green skills in curricula, investing in modern training facilities, promoting innovation, and fostering collaboration between training institutions and emerging green industries.
Highlighting the importance of ensuring equity the Prime Minister further stated, that opportunities arising from the green transition must be accessible to all, including youth, young women, people with special needs, and marginalized communities.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to working closely with regional and international partnerships, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of transforming them to actual benefits and partnerships.
The occasion was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Additional Secretary (Vocational Training) Ms. Samanthi Senanayake Director General Colombo Plan Staff College Prof. Dr. Suresh K. Dhameja , TVET administrators, institutional leaders, policymakers, instructors, industry representatives, and international delegates from across the region and seniors officials and officials from Ministries.
(Prime Minister’s Media division)
News
PM reviews progress of the committee appointed for the establishment of a National Nursing University
A discussion to review the current progress of the special committee appointed under the government’s policy proposals to establish a National Nursing University aimed at elevating the nursing profession in Sri Lanka to degree level was held on 23rd of March at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister inquired into the progress made by the committee in relation to the establishment of the Nursing University and paid attention to the issues and views presented by the committee members.
Emphasizing that establishing a university is a long-term and complex process, the Prime Minister pointed out the importance of advancing this project in line with higher education standards, without hasty decisions, while also taking into account the existing conflicts and challenges within the university system.
The meeting was attended by the Vice Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Professor K. L. Wasantha Kumara, representatives of the All Ceylon Nurses’ Association, and officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 25 March 2026, valid for 26 March 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
A strong Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system equips individuals with practical, relevant, and future-oriented skills helping to innovate responsibly towards a greener and sustainable future – PM
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Showers expected in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm.
Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts
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