News
Malwatte chapter appoints Chief Sanghanayaka of England
Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London
In a ceremony held in Manchester last week, Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Nayaka Thera, Chief Incumbent overseeing the Manchester Ketumati and Leeds Buddhist Temples in the UK, as well as the Tulawala Sumanasaramaya in Sri Lanka, was appointed as the Chief Sanghanayaka of England by the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya.
The event was graced by the presence of notable figures within the Buddhist community, including Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Nayaka Thera, Secretary to the Malwatte Chapter Sangha Sabawa, Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Thera, the Head of London Buddhist Vihara and the Head of Jethavana Buddhist Vihara Ven. Keppitiyagoda Gunawansa Thera among others. Also present were guests such as Lady Mayoress Yasmin Dar, local council members, community leaders, and Sri Lankan residents in Manchester.
The ceremonial Akthapatra was presented by High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama who conveyed warm regards from President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Sri Lankan Government, praising the Nayaka Thera’s commitment to serving the British Sri Lankan Community in Greater Manchester.
Ven. Piyatissa Nayaka Thera’s tireless devotion to propagating Buddhism in the United Kingdom is evident through his establishment of the Ketumati Buddhist Vihara in Manchester in 1999 and the Leeds Buddhist Vihara in 2017. Furthermore, his dedication to the cause of Dhammaduta Mehawera has extended across continents, with efforts in Africa and Europe.
This appointment is regarded by the Buddhist community of Sri Lankan descent as a testament to his invaluable service, dedication, and contributions to the propagation of Buddhist teachings, not only in the UK but across international borders.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Lanka Premier League draft set to take place on March 22
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
‘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
-
News3 days agoSajith: Ashoka Chakra replaces Dharmachakra in Buddhism textbook
-
Business3 days agoDialog and UnionPay International Join Forces to Elevate Sri Lanka’s Digital Payment Landscape
-
Features3 days agoThe Paradox of Trump Power: Contested Authoritarian at Home, Uncontested Bully Abroad
-
Features3 days agoSubject:Whatever happened to (my) three million dollars?
-
News3 days agoLevel I landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended
-
News3 days agoNational Communication Programme for Child Health Promotion (SBCC) has been launched. – PM
-
News3 days ago65 withdrawn cases re-filed by Govt, PM tells Parliament
-
Opinion5 days agoThe minstrel monk and Rafiki, the old mandrill in The Lion King – II