News
New head for Ramanna Nikaya appointed
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said on Thursday that the appointment of Ven. Makulewe Wimala Thera as the Mahanayake of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya was a blessing to the Sambuddha Sasana and to Buddhists worldwide.
The President said so at a ceremony to mark the presentation of traditional Aktha Pathra to the Mahanayake Thera, signifying the latter’s elvation to the position of Mahanayake, at the Independence Hall, Colombo. The President presented the Sannas Pathra to the newly appointed Mahanayake Thera while the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa offered the Vijini Patha (the fan).
Political leaders, including PM Rajapaksa, former President
Sirisena, and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the event
The President said that the government was committed to safeguarding the Sasana.
A book, ‘Abhinandana’ authored by Prof. Raluwe Padmasiri Thera, was also launched at the event. Former President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa offered Prasada Pooja to the new Mahanayake Thera. Maha Sangha of the Three Nikayas, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers, Governors, Ambassadors, Chairman of the Dayaka Sabha of Ramanna Maha Nikaya former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and Secretary State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake and government officials, members of the Dayaka Sabha and relatives of the Mahanayake Thera were also present at the occasion.
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.
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