The Annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya will be held on 08, 09 and 10 January 2026. The Historic Kelaniya Duruthu Maha Perahera had its origins in the year 1927, due largely to the efforts of that great Philanthropist Don Walter Wijewardene, son of Helena Wijewardene Lamathani of Sedawatte.

This Religious Cultural pageant has evolved over the years to become the country’s most elaborate and grandest low country pageant in its category. Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is the most sacred temple in the Western Province of Sri Lanka since Lord Buddha’s sojourn here during his P historic visit to Sri Lanka.

It celebrates this event annually in the “Duruthu Poya” during January by conducting a historic, traditional and cultural pageant, the “Kelani Perahera”. Whilst the Kelani Perahera commemorates the religious significance of Lord Buddha’s visit.

The Perahera is organised under the guidance of Chief Priest of Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Venerable Professor Mahinda Sangarakkitta Nayaka Thera, and President of Dayaka Sabha, Dr. Saman Weerasinghe.

The Perahera will commence with the Chancellor of the Kelaniya University Agra Maha Panditha Ven Professor Kollupitiya Mahinda Sangharakkita Nayake Thera handing over the Sacred Relic Casket to Chief Basnayake Nilame Dhammika Attygalle. The Sacred Lord Buddha’s Dathu Perahera will be followed by three Devale Perahera’s of God Vibeshana, God Kataragama and God Vishnu.

On 08th January, 2026, will be the Udamaluwe Perahera, 09th January will be the Sacred City Perahera, and 10th January will be the Grand Duruthu Maha Perahera. The Perahera will commence at 8.00 pm.

There will be a Special Enclosure for foreign tourists to view the Perahera.

Chief Opposition Whip and Galle District SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilaka yesterday urged Parliament to assign the chairmanship of the proposed Special Committee to investigate the lack of preparedness for Cyclone Ditwah to an Opposition Member of Parliament.

Raising the matter in the House, Karunathilaka also called for a revision of the committee’s composition, stressing the need for greater Opposition representation. He noted that a formal written request, signed by several MPs, had already been submitted to the Speaker on 18 December.

The Opposition maintained that the inquiry into alleged negligence surrounding early warnings of Cyclone Ditwah should be led by an Opposition MP to ensure independence and credibility.

Responding, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne informed the House that arrangements concerning the establishment and structure of the special committee were currently in progress.

Karunathilaka also separately appealed for increased Opposition representation in the select committee appointed to examine matters relating to the holding of Provincial Council elections.

By Saman Indrajith

Man dies in fire caused by him

A man who torched his mother-in-law’s house at Nuwaragam colony, Padikaramaduwa, on Monday (06), over a dispute with his wife, was killed in the fire. Police identified him as 43-year-old Anuruddha Pradeeppriya. His 13-year-old daughter, Dimalka Jayashani, was also killed in the blaze while his wife, mother-in-law, son, and the elder daughter, suffered injuries.

Police said that the 36-year-old wife of the man had left their home with their two daughters and son and moved to her mother’s home following a family dispute.