News
Arrival of Sanghamitta Theri from India marked by release of second volume of Jataka Tales Audio Book
Commemorating the arrival Sanghamitta Theri from India to Sri Lanka, the second volume of the Jataka Tales Audio Book in Sinhala was released at Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission of India on 2 December 2022.
The Audio Book contains 50 Jataka Tales, selected from Jatakattakatha, under the theme of ‘Good Advice,’ and is dedicated to the people of Sri Lanka, particularly the visually impaired. It may be recalled that the first volume was released at the sacred Ruwanweli Maha Seya premises, in Anuradhapura, on the auspicious Poson Poya on 14 June 2022, to mark 75th anniversary of India-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.
Most Venerable Mahasangha, High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay, State Minister of Pirivena Education Vijitha Berugoda, Deputy High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob, and several senior functionaries and representatives from various organisations, including Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind, Ratmalana, and Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies (CCIS), University of Colombo, took part in the event.
The “Jataka Tales Audio Book” project is a joint collaboration between SVCC and CCIS, University of Colombo supervised by Most Ven. Rambukana Siddhartha Thera, several experts such as Prof. Upul Ranjith Hewawitanagamage, Chair Senior Professor of Hindi Studies, University of Kelaniya, Dr. W. A. Abeysinha and Ms. Wathsala Samarakoon, a popular TV and Radio presenter contributed towards the initiative.
High Commissioner Baglay interacted with the winners of the International quiz competition on Buddhism and Buddhist Heritage who returned after a successful and enriching five-day multi-city tour to key Buddhist sites of India. The winners thanked the Government and people of India for the care and affection they received during their trip to India. Organized by the Indian High Commission, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Pirivena Education, the quiz competition had witnessed the participation of about 6000 Pirivena students.
Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner described the Audio Book as a ‘dhamma daana’ from the people of India to the people of Sri Lanka. He also underlined that the Jataka Tales represents more than two millenia old close cultural ties between India and many countries, of which Sri Lanka has a very special place as one of the first countries to receive the gift of Buddhism from India. State Minister Berugoda thanked the Government of India for supporting the Pirivenas and dhamma education in Sri Lanka.
Buddhism has been a key pillar binding the people of India and Sri Lanka. The Government of India has committed to a USD 15 million grant for promotion of Buddhist ties between the two countries. Inaugural international flight to the sacred city of Kushinagar from Sri Lanka on the auspicious ‘Wap Poya’ day in October 2021; multi-city exposition of the sacred Kapilvastu Buddha relics from the Rajaguru Sri Subhuthi Maha Vihara of Waskaduwa, in India in October 2021 are among the notable milestones that underscore the abiding Buddhist linkages between the two neighbours in the recent past.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
USA’s Ali Khan claims having been ‘denied’ India visa ahead of T20 World Cup
At least 28 dead as crane collapses onto train in Thailand
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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