In a significant recognition of global piritual leadership and community service, Canterbury Christ Church University has conferred its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honour Award upon the Most Venerable Dr Kirinde Assaji, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected Buddhist leaders.

The award ceremony took place at the University Chapel, within the Anselm Building, as part of an official visit by the Venerable Monk to the university. The recognition celebrates his decades-long contribution to spiritual leadership, interfaith harmony, education, and community development, both in Sri Lanka and internationally.

Ven Dr Kirinde Assaji, the Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, in Colombo, and Sanghanayaka of the Western Province, has long been regarded as a transformative figure in both religious and social spheres.

The award citation highlighted his extraordinary lifelong commitment to promoting peace compassion, and unity, as well as his efforts to uplift rural communities, empower women and children, and advance sustainable development initiatives.

University officials noted that his work represents “a rare combination of spiritual wisdom and practical leadership that has positively impacted thousands of lives.”

The event brought together a distinguished gathering of academic leaders, diplomats, and community representatives.

Among the notable attendees was Nimal Senadheera, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who delivered a special address recognising the global influence of Sri Lankan spiritual traditions.

Futher, Dr Dulan Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the Tourism and Cultural Task Force, Sri Lanka and Visiting Lecturer For Colombo University. also participated, highlighting the strategic importance of tourism and cultural collaboration. Dr Janagan Vinayagamoorthy, Chairman, IDM Nations Campus International, Sri Lanka, also participated and was recognised by the University.

Senior representatives from the University, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Rama Thirunamachandran and Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohamed Abdel-Maguid, officiated the ceremony and formally presented the award.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Assaji Thera expressed deep humility and gratitude, describing the honour as not only personal but shared with the communities he has served throughout his life.

He emphasised the enduring relevance of Buddhist teachings in today’s divided world, stating that:”True peace begins within ourselves. When there is peace in the mind, there will be peace in the world.”

He further highlighted the importance of combining modern education with moral and spiritual values, noting that sustainable progress can only be achieved through compassion, understanding, and wisdom.

Dr Assaji Thera’s visit also included engagements aimed at strengthening cultural and ademic ties between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, including a campus tour, interfaith discussions, and a visit to Canterbury Cathedral, which symbolises dialogue between traditions.

His broader work includes initiatives such as community development programmes, agricultural sustainability projects, and educational outreach, as well as media efforts promoting environmental awareness and social harmony.

More than an award, the event is widely seen as marking the beginning of a deeper partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. It reflects growing opportunities for collaboration in higher education and academic exchange, cultural and religious dialogue, sustainable development initiatives, tourism and heritage promotion, and the strengthening of people-to-people connections. Observers note that this milestone sets the foundation for long-term cooperation and meaningful engagement between institutions and communities in both nations.

This recognition by Canterbury Christ Church University reflects the growing global appreciation for leaders who combine spiritual insight with practical societal impact.

“This honour does not belong to me alone. It belongs to every individual who has been part of this journey.”

The award marks a meaningful moment not only for Sri Lanka but for the wider international community, reinforcing the importance of peace, compassion, and shared human values in shaping the future.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday said the ongoing countrywide strike would continue until 8 am today, alleging that newly qualified doctors had applied for post-intern appointments due to threats and pressure.

Addressing a media briefing, GMOA representatives said the strike, which commenced at 8 am on Saturday, was continuing across hospitals following a decision taken at an emergency Executive Committee meeting held later that evening.

The Union had earlier urged newly qualified doctors not to apply for post-intern appointments. However, it claimed that many had submitted applications due to pressure allegedly exerted by authorities, and it had allowed them to do so.

According to the GMOA, the government threatened them with removal from state service, suspension of salaries and eviction from official quarters, creating fear and uncertainty regarding their future employment.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka said that out of 453 doctors who completed their internship during the current term, 435 — or 96 per cent — had applied for their subsequent appointments before the deadline at noon on 4 April.

The GMOA maintained that the high number of applications should not be interpreted as voluntary compliance, but rather as a result of intimidation and coercion.

The strike is being implemented in hospitals across the country, with services continuing as usual at children’s hospitals, maternity hospitals, kidney hospitals, mental health institutions, cancer hospitals and military hospitals. The GMOA said emergency treatment services remained uninterrupted at all hospitals.

The Association has also called on Anura Kumara Dissanayake to intervene and initiate discussions, stating that it remained willing to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

Responding to the situation, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the government had the capacity to address the issues raised.

He said solutions had already been provided for certain concerns raised by the GMOA and that further measures would be implemented in the near future.

The Minister said the dispute regarding the appointment of post-intern medical officers had effectively been resolved, noting that 435 out of the 453 eligible doctors had already submitted their applications.

He added that the relevant list of appointments was currently being prepared and would be officially released soon.Dr. Jayatissa further said that the first batch of appointments would be granted before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.

by Chaminda Silva

The SJB yesterday called for the immediate resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody over the procurement of allegedly substandard coal, urging the government to uphold Westminster parliamentary traditions.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, former Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said the Minister should step down pending investigations into allegations against him.

Kiriella drew parallels between the current coal controversy and the earlier scandal involving the import of substandard medicines, arguing that the same legal principles must apply in both instances.

“Action was taken against those responsible for purchasing substandard medicines, and the same principle must be applied in the case of substandard coal,” he said.

Kiriella said parliamentary convention required ministers facing serious allegations to resign pending investigations, noting that such practices were common in democratic countries. He claimed the government itself had admitted that inferior coal had been procured.

The SJB MP also criticised the government’s performance during the past year and a half, alleging that key promises had not been fulfilled. He pointed to the failure to ease the cost-of-living burden, including pledges to remove Value Added Tax from essential goods and to reduce electricity tariffs by one-third.

“You don’t need me to tell you this; ask ten people on the street and they will give you the answer,” Kiriella said, referring to what he described as growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s economic management.

Responding to the government’s anti-corruption stance, Kiriella said the SJB had been at the forefront of anti-corruption efforts in Parliament. He recalled that during his tenure as Chief Opposition Whip he had intervened to ensure the passage of the Anti-Corruption Bill when attempts were allegedly made to delay the legislation.

Commenting on recent high-profile arrests and detentions, Kiriella urged the public to remain calm and allow the judicial process to take its course. He noted that, following the emergence of new evidence, certain matters linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings had been brought before the courts for the first time since the attacks.

“We should be satisfied that this has finally reached the judiciary,” Kiriella said, adding that the court is the proper authority to scrutinize the validity of the evidence presented.