News
President calls on Mahanayakes and receive their blessings
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (05) called on Mahanayake and Anunayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiri Chapters to receive their blessings.
The President visited the Malwathu Maha Vihara and called on the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera and obtained blessings for the New Year.
The President briefed the Mahanayake Thera on the steps taken by the government to protect and conserve historical sites of archaeological value. The Mahanayake Thera presented a memento to the President. The President also inspected the construction work of the new Vihara Mandira building at the Malwathu Temple premises.
The President then visited the Asgiri Chapter Mahanayake Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Thera at the Asgiri Maha Vihara and received blessings. President Rajapaksa visited the Asgiri Gedige Rajamaha Vihara and paid a courtesy call on the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Venerable Wendaruwe Sri Upali Thera. The President engaged in a discussion with the Thera and inquired about the progress of the construction work being carried out at the temple premises.
Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thera invoked blessings on the President at the Asgiri Udugama Vihara by chanting Seth Pirith and also commented on the programme implemented by the President to take the country forward. President Rajapaksa also called on the Chief Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera and received blessings. Deputy Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter Ven. Narampanawa Ananda Thera and the Maha Sangha invoked blessings on the President at the Asgiri Maha Vihara Maha Piriven by chanting the Jaya Piritha.
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.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
SL to receive 10 helicopters from US
Foreign couple held over alleged biopiracy at Horton Plains
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