News
Gangaramaya marks 79th birthday of Podi Hamuduruwo with religious events
The 79th birthday of Venerable Galaboda Gnanissara Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple, popularly known as Podi Hamuduruwo falls on the 14th of December and the temple has organised a series of Pinkamas to mark the occasion.
As a part of these events sanghika dana will be offered to 250 bhikkus and 150 scholarships will be awarded to selected samanera bhikkus enabling them to study up to Pracheena examination. Scholarships to the value of Rs 5,000 per month will also be awarded to 60 deserving university students while dry rations will be given to 500 selected needy families.
Pod Hamuduruwo hailing from Galaboda in Matara was born on December 14, 1943 and ordained as a priest in 1954 at the age of ten years, under the tutelage of Rev. Devundara Vachissara Thera who was the Chief incumbent of the Gangaramaya at the time. The little priest of the temple from that day onwards became known as Podi Hamuduruwo.
His teacher Vachissara Thera was an educationist and ardent supporter of Sri Lankan culture and values who stressed the need for enhancing the social stability through the temple which would have guided the future path of Podi Hamuduruwo.
The day that Podi Hamuduruwo was ordained was so auspicious, Vachissara Thera also launched a Pirivena at the Gangaramaya Temple on the same day and it was named Sri Gnanissara Pirivena. It is here that Podi Hamuduruwo started his education as a young priest.
Young Galaboda Gnanissara Thera studied in depth the Buddha Dhamma at the Pirivena. His teacher Devundara Vacissara Thera was a forward thinking monk and was well versed in English, Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit. He was well known in the Buddhist world for his sermons.
While being always on the move, but he was very attentive and focused. Often he would sit on a stepping stone of the temple and talk to the villagers who came from far off places and collect information for a newspaper article he would write. Through such writings he often brought the common man’s problems to the attention of the country’s leaders.
The Venerable Thera is so simple he never had a separate plate or cup reserved for him. He would come to the Dana Salawa and partake of his meals using one of the common plates that are kept there. He is kind towards all animals, be it elephants, birds or other creatures. He would pay those who bring captive birds like parrots to Colombo for sale and take them near the temple’s Bo tree and release them, deriving a lot of pleasure.
Though he had quite a lot of resources under his purview he never had a personal bank account and always believed in things common to all. He collected many culturally important valuable antiques, but it was mainly with the intention of displaying the pride of the nation and not for personal glory.
He established and promoted many welfare facilities for the common good of both clergy and the laity. Hostel facilities for bhikkus from all nikayas, educational and training institutes, nurseries for children, pirivenas, printing facilities, pilgrims’ rests, orphanages, tree planting campaigns are some of the examples of his social work.
He never wasted time and even on a foreign trip he would use the flight time to write an article for a newspaper. Thus, having completed the work of ten generations during his life time, he can be quite content in the evening of his life.
Podi Hamuduruwo was instrumental in the-establishment of the Jinaratana Vocational Training Institute to guide the youth who had their education disrupted during the troubled eighties. Under his guidance and leadership, the institute has been conducting training courses in mechanics, electronics, carpentry and so forth on a concessionary basis providing government recognised certificates thus introducing students to the society as qualified individuals. Many students who rebuilt their lives through this vocational training institute are now doing well in various fields at home and abroad.
The Nawam Maha Perahera of Gangaramaya, the beautiful cultural festival held in the city of Colombo is another initiative of Podi Hamuduruwo. This colourful pageant featuring a large number of elephants, traditional dancers and fireworks has revolutionised the perahera culture in the country giving opportunities to artistes from all over the country.
At one time Podi Hamuduruwo was an- Advisor to the Ministry of Education and he did an immense service for the development of the Pirivena education in Sri Lanka. Approximately 570 Pirivenas were given due recognition as educational-institutes at the time.
Over the-years all- the leaders of the-country have- maintained- close relations with Podi Hamuduruwo and have often sought his guidance and blessings. Being fearless and forthright he never hesitated to voice his concerns on important issues in the presence of the country’s leaders and always stood for what he believed to be right.
Podi Hamuduruwo always came forward-to safeguard the interests of the country, and never thought about what others would think of him while doing what he felt was right. He has the capacity to deal with loss, gain, suffering and. good fortune equally.
He has trained a generation of bhikkhus within the Gangaramaya Temple who would follow his path and continue his vision. On his birthday we wish good health, happiness and longevity to Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera.
Environmentalists have raised fresh concerns over possible mercury contamination linked to coal used at the Norochcholai coal power plant, warning that Sri Lanka still lacks binding standards on mercury content in imported coal despite mounting health risks in nearby communities.
Chairperson of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage, said recent coal consignments suspected to be of inferior quality could contain elevated mercury levels, posing a threat to both ecosystems and human health.
“International studies show that mercury content in coal can vary significantly. For example, research on South African coal indicates a range between 0.01 and 0.49 ppm. However, Sri Lanka has still not established a maximum permissible mercury level for imported coal,” Withanage told The Island.
He pointed out that the environmental protection licence issued for the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant allows mercury emissions of up to 0.01 mg/Nm³, but stressed that regulating emissions alone is insufficient without controlling mercury content at the source.
“With no standard for mercury in imported coal, there is a serious regulatory gap. This raises legitimate concerns that recent shipments may contain higher mercury concentrations,” he said.
Withanage cited a 2018 CEJ study conducted in the Kalpitiya peninsula, near Puttalam, which found alarming levels of mercury exposure among women of childbearing age. According to the study, 28 out of 36 women—approximately 77%—had mercury levels in hair samples exceeding the internationally accepted safety threshold of 1 ppm.
“The most disturbing finding was a recorded level of 15.584 ppm in one individual. These women were regular consumers of fish from the Puttalam lagoon, suggesting a bioaccumulation pathway,” he explained.
The CEJ believes that mercury released during coal combustion at Norochcholai may enter the marine environment, eventually accumulating in fish consumed by local communities.
“Mercury is a potent neurotoxin. When released into the environment, it can transform into methylmercury and enter the food chain, particularly affecting coastal and fishing communities,” Withanage warned.
He further alleged that despite formally notifying the Central Environmental Authority and the North Western Provincial Environmental Authority at the time, there had been insufficient follow-up action.
He added:”We raised these findings years ago with the relevant authorities, but there has been little to no meaningful response. This is unacceptable given the potential public health implications.”
Environmentalists are now calling for immediate steps, including the establishment of national standards for mercury content in imported coal, independent testing of all coal consignments, and a comprehensive health assessment of communities living in proximity to the power plant.
They also stress the need for continuous monitoring of mercury levels in air emissions, marine ecosystems, and food sources such as fish.
“With growing evidence of contamination, authorities must act decisively. Public health cannot be compromised,” Withanage added.
By Ifham Nizam
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 02 April 2026, valid for 03 April 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, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
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 the 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.
Government authorities are exploring the possibility of shifting public sector work online on April 16 and 17, to maintain essential services while managing available fuel and energy amid disruptions linked to West Asia conflagration.
The proposal was discussed at the third meeting of the Cabinet-appointed committee on ensuring continuity of public services, chaired by Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya via a virtual platform, according to the President’s Media Division.
Officials highlighted that the Ministry of Health and Mass Media had reduced diesel consumption by 42% by March 31, reflecting wider government efforts to reduce fuel use across institutions. Awareness programmes on energy management at schools are scheduled for April 7 and 9, while universities are already operating online where feasible.
The Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that examinations, including the Grama Niladhari entrance test, have continued as planned. Key ministries, including Transport, Digital Economy and Justice, are maintaining operations by deploying essential staff and utilising online systems.
The committee also discussed launching a public awareness campaign to curb water wastage and promote alternative water sources, to be jointly conducted by the National Water Supply
and Drainage Board and the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.
Guidelines for conducting official duties online have been prepared by the Ministry of Digital Economy, with a circular expected by April 20 following consultations with the Ministry of Public Administration. Plans were also reviewed to monitor daily energy consumption, fuel reserves, and public service attendance through a digital dashboard.The committee is scheduled to reconvene on April 8.
Atmospheric conditions will be favorable for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island.
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Mercury fears over coal imports: CEJ urges urgent standards, health probe
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
Govt. toys with the idea of moving public sector work online
Namal blames President for coal scam
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