News
Dhamma symposium held to mark Dalai Lama’s 87th birthday
The bi-lingual Scholarly Dhamma Symposium that the Colombo-based Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood conducted recently at the auditorium of the Buddhist and Pali University, Homagama, to coincide with the 87th birth day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was an overwhelming success with the discourses touching virtually on all aspects of Buddhist teachings and their relevance to today’s world.
The discourses were also on the life-long and immense contributions of Nobel Peace Laureate His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the noble Buddhist concepts with the main focus on world peace, compassion, non-violence, political and social harmony and his achievements towards that objective.
A short documentary video on His Holiness the Dalai Lama was shown to the august audience of Buddhist monks and prominent personages with ‘ Anushasana’ given by Kalyaniwamsa Keerthi Sri Wangisanwamsalankara Vipassana Kammatthanachariya Aggamaha Panditha Maha Mahopadyaya Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Mahanayake Thera, the Head of Sri Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Sri Lanka and the message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama read over to the audience by Prof Aluthgama Wimalarathana Thera, the Head of the Department of Buddhist Culture. Discourses by Ven. Prof. Lenagala Siriniwasa Thera on ‘the Four Commitments of the Dalai Lama for World Peace, by Ven. Prof. Miriswatte Wimalagnana Thera on ‘Nobel Peace Laureate the Dalai Lama’ by Ven. Prof. Moagollagama Uparathana Thera on ‘ the Vision of the Dalai Lama to Shape the Future Leaders towards Compassionate Leadership and World Peace’ and by Prof. Chandima Wijebandara on ‘Bridging Modern Science and Buddhist Philosophy ‘ were thought-provoking and virtually touched upon all salient aspects of Buddhist teachings. Compassion, loving kindness and universal brotherhood, harmony and world recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the role model of a Buddhist monk and his leadership qualities in that capacity were points that were expressed in the discourses. The veneration offered to the chief prelates of the Nikayas on the stage was another significant event on the occasion.
Birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of Malwatta Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaye, Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaye, Most Ven Aggamahapanditha Dodampahala Chandasiri Mahanayake Thera, The Head of Sri Amarapura Maha Nikaye, Most Ven Aggamahapanditha Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thera of Ramanna Maha Nikaye, and the Anunayake Maha Theras representing the three main Nikayas were also read out to the audience before being conveyed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After the distribution of certificates and mementos to the dignitaries vote of thanks was delivered by the Senior lecturer Dr Waruni Tennakoon.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight on Saturday (May 30).
Accordingly,
the price of Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 15 to Rs.407 per liter,
the price of Super Diesel has been increased by Rs. 20 to Rs. 478 per liter.
the price of Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 24 to Rs. 434 per liter
the price of Petrol 95 Octane up by Rs. 25 to Rs. 495 per liter
the price of kerosene by Rs. 20 to Rs. 285 per liter.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has called for a comprehensive reform programme within Sri Lanka’s Buddhist clergy, warning that repeated efforts to strengthen the Sasana have in the past been derailed by opposition from within sections of the Sangha itself.
In a statement addressed to the Mahanayake Theras of the three Buddhist chapters, Kumaratunga stressed that the long-term preservation of Buddhism depends on safeguarding both the Dhamma and Vinaya, or disciplinary code, and urged urgent internal reform to address what she described as deep-rooted structural weaknesses.
She noted that Buddhist history has consistently demonstrated that periods of institutional crisis were addressed through reform processes, citing precedents from the First Buddhist Council to reforms during the Kandyan era under Welivita Sri Saranankara Thera.
Referring to post-independence efforts, Kumaratunga said initiatives taken during the 1956 Bandaranaike administration to strengthen Buddhism were left incomplete following the assassination of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.
She further stated that during her own presidency, plans to convene a Buddhist Council under the guidance of the late Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera had received government backing but were ultimately abandoned due to resistance from certain sections within the clergy.
The former President alleged that, on both occasions, vested interests benefiting from existing weaknesses within the Buddhist establishment had worked to obstruct meaningful reform efforts.
Warning that Buddhism in Sri Lanka is currently facing serious challenges, she called for a broad internal dialogue within the Sangha to identify root causes and implement both short- and long-term corrective measures.
Kumaratunga urged the Mahanayake Theras to take the lead in convening a Dharma Sanghayana, or Buddhist Council, and said she was prepared to work with senior lay Buddhist leaders to support such an initiative.
The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Friday ordered the arrest of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Managing Director Rumi Jauffer and several others over the alleged misuse of Rs. 7.8 million belonging to the Tourism Promotion Authority during the 2014 Uva Provincial Council election campaign.
Magistrate Pasan Amarasena directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest and produce the suspects before court, after it was informed that they would be named under the Public Property Act on the advice of the Attorney General.
The CID told court that attempts to take the suspects into custody from their residences had been unsuccessful as they were not present.
The Magistrate also imposed an overseas travel ban on the suspects and ordered that the Controller of Immigration and Emigration be notified.
Investigations have reportedly revealed that the funds were used to print 12,000 T-shirts bearing an image of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on one side and the name of a political party on the other.
According to the CID, the T-shirts were later distributed at a political event held in the Monaragala District.
Oscar-winning Star Wars editor Marcia Lucas dies aged 80
Hundreds arrested in France after wild Champions League celebrations
‘Disappointing’ – Sangakkara on Sam Curran turning out for Surrey with IPL still on
Truck carrying Afghan returnees from Pakistan flips on highway, killing 18
PSG beat Arsenal to win back-to-back Champions League titles after shootout
What Hegseth’s comments at Shangri-La Dialogue say about US foreign policy
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News7 days agoPolice probe underway to ascertain links between criminals deported from UAE and local politicians
-
News2 days agoIMF urges Lanka not to meddle with exchange rate
-
News6 days agoEaster Sunday carnage: Court told Maulana’s statement cannot be accepted without cross-examination
-
News6 days agoUK passport holder hiding here wants to have deportation order rescinded to leave without blemish
-
Opinion6 days agoUndermining the democratic political framework
-
Features3 days agoThe Division Bell Mystery
-
News7 days agoDickoya double murder suspect arrested
-
Midweek Review5 days agoIsraeli-US aggression won’t go unanswered -Iranian Ambassador