Daily NEWS Srilanka

The Department of Meteorology has forecast that the prevailing showery condition is expected to reduce to some extent from today. The Met Department said that showers or thundershowers will be experienced at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, Uva and North-western Provinces after 2 pm. It also said that showers...

The Airport Customs have foiled an attempt to smuggle in a haul of cigarettes. The stock of cigarettes was seized at the Katunayake International Airport. A passenger who had come from Dubai had concealed the cigarettes in his baggage. The suspect is a resident of Narammala. Customs officials said that 162 cartons of cigarettes we...

The President and the Prime Minister has paid their final respects to former Minister of the Northwestern Province B.M. Wijenaike. The Late B.M. Wijenaike, former Minister of Food and Cooperatives of the Northwestern Province was the father in law of Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. The President arrived at the residence situated at Noel...

The Sri Pada Pilgrimage season comes to an end today. The casket carrying the sacred relics, the statue of God Saman and the sacred objects are being brought back to the Galpoththawela Sripada Rajamaha Vihare from the Sri Padaya after the conduct of special religious observances at the Sri Pada Maluwa. The procession carrying t...

Wesak Zones and Dansalas are among the programmes that are in progress in view of the Wesak Festival. The Annual Wesak Perahera of the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy paraded the streets yesterday. The Perahera which commenced from the Dalada Maligawa proceeded along Dalada Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya and Temple Road and returned...

Sri Lankans living in Melbourne are celebrating Wesak on a grand scale with various creations. Sri Lankans as well as a large number of foreigners joined in viewing the Wesak creations that are on display at the main auditorium of Nobel Park College in Melbourne. On display are the Wesak Pandal and Wesak lanterns p...

Sri Lankans living in Japan had organized various Pinkamas commemorating the Wesak Festival. A religious programme organized by Sri Lankans domiciled in Japan marking the Wesak Festival was held at the Sri Sambuddhaloka Vihare in the Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan. It was held under the patronage of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Japan Prof. Dhammika...

The Bauddhaloka Wesak Zone is being held on an elaborate scale. Its opening took place yesterday under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. The Bauddhaloka Wesak Zone is being organized this year under the guidance of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress for the 17th occasion. Religious observances were held after the President placed...

The opening of the Pandal of the Pepiliyana Daya Group of Companies took place under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. It is being organized for the 13 occasion. The Pandal depictsthe Raajopavaada Jathaka story. Expressing views after the opening of the Pandal Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe said that The Wesak festival...

The exposition of the sacred relics kept at the Temple Trees and Buddhist artifacts commenced yesterday under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. A large number of devotees was present yesterday to pay their obeisance to the Sacred Relics which is on display parallel to the Buddha Rashmi...

The Consumer Affairs Authority has said that canteen and hotel owners will not be permitted to increase food prices citing the price increase of gas as a base. Based on the decision of the Ministerial Sub Committee on the Cost of Living, action was taken to increase the price of a cylinder of gas ...

The Government has decided to hold the funeral of internationally acclaimed Film Director Dr. Lester James Peiris also known as the Father of the Sri Lankan cinema at the Independence Square in Colombo on Wednesday with full state patronage. The Funeral Committee said that his remains will be lying at his residence at Lester Jam...

Various religious programs have been organized around the country in connection with the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day. A large number of devotees were seen visiting the historic Kandy Sri Dalada Maligawa from early morning today. Officers of Sri Lanka Army’s 5th Infantry Regiment offered morning Alms giving to devotees who have observed Sil....

The Sawanak Ras programme which is telecast on every Poya Day took place at the Kadawatha Sri Bimbarama Temple. A large number of devotees attended the religious program. Many religious events were held in the Sawanak Ras Poya Day program which took place at the Kadawatha Sri Bimbarama Temple. The morning Dhamma discussion was head...

President Maithripala Sirisena took part in religious programmes at the Bambalapitiya Siri Vajira Ramaya in connection with the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day. The President who went to the Bambalapitiya Sri Vajira Ramaya engaged in religious practices. The offering of the renovated Dhamma Hall of the Vajira Rama Temple to the Mahasangha under...

President Maithripala Sirisena issuing a message in connection with the Wesak Full Moon Poya day says that Buddhists all over the world celebrate the Vesak Festival with much religious fervor and enthusiasm to commemorate the important events that took place in the life of Gauthama Buddha on this day. He says the birth of Siddhart...

The landslides warnings issued to Ratnapura and some other areas have been extended. The Disaster Management Centre has asked the public to be vigilant about landslides due to the prevailing rainy weather conditions. Assistant Director of Disaster Management Centre Pradeep Kodippili said that steps are being taken to clear the Neluwa – Morawaka...

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe says that young leaders have performed a major service to make the United National Party stronger. Issuing a statement the Prime Minister says that new young leaders were appointed to main portfolios of the party with the aim of getting the youth strength to the front. Navin Dissanayaka was appointed ...

The exposition of the sacred relics kept at the Temple Trees and Buddhist artifacts will commence today. The sacred relics exposition to coincide with the Rashmi Wesak Zone, takes place from 5.00 p.m. today for the devotees to pay their homage. The sacred relics at Saaraanaath, Waranasi in India and Thakshila Museum in Pakistan we...

Today is the Wesak Full Moon Poya Day which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. Religious programmes have been organized in the temples around the county in connection with the Full Moon Poya Day. It is on a Wesak Full Moon Poya Day that Prince Siddhartha was born, attained Buddhahood a...

President Maithripala Sirisena says that he will not take decisions without consulting the Mahasangha. The President said this while attending the state Wesak Festival.  Addressing the gathering the president said that the development of temples including Tampita Vihara has been commenced already. The state wesak festival was held at...

Special train services will be operated tomorrow and day after in connection with the Wesak Festival. Two trains will be operated at 4.30 a.m. and 7.40 a.m. from Maradana to Kalutara South. Two trains will also be run from Kalutara South to Maradana at 6.30 a.m. and 3.20 p.m. Another train will be operated fr...

17 people were injured in an accident on Southern Expressway this morning. The bus has toppled near 91st mile post between Baddegama and Pinnaduwa on Southern Expressway. A group of people who were on a pilgrimage to Kataragama from Elpitiya had been travelling in the bus. 17 people with injuries have been admitted to Baddega...

A discussion took place at the Presidential Secretariat to find immediate solutions to the problems faced by the farmers due to the decrease of prices of dry zone vegetables. The discussion was held under the patronage of Minister Sarath Amunugama and President’s Secretary Austin Fernando on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena....

Religious activities have been organized island wide in connection with the Wesak Festival.  The Annual Wesak Cultural Procession organized by Matara Dickwella Dheegawalukaramaya Rajamaha Viharaya was held in a grand scale for the 181st time. 25 Buddhist Monks went on seeking offerings of medicine to coincide with the procession. A sermon...

The National Youth New Year Festival, Sanhindiyawe Sooryamangallaya 2018 was held at Matara Morawaka Keerthi Abeywickrema National School Grounds. The National Youth New Year Festival was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe. The Prime Minister commenced the festival by performing traditional rites. Thereafter the...

United National Party General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that changes in the UNP is made only on the requirement of the party. He mentioned this after calling over on the Mahanayaka Theras and receiving their blessings.  Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam called over on the Mahanayaka of Ramanna Nikaya Most Venerable Naapane...

State Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the exports sector which collapsed during the time of the previous government, is developing at present. He said this during a media briefing at the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs.  State Minister Harsha de Silva said that the primary aim of the government is ...

Minister Sajith Premadasa says that 25 villages will be built for Artists. He said this while attending the ceremony to launch the constructions of Lester James Peiris Village for Artists. The village, Sinepathi Lester James Peiris Arts Village is constructed to appreciate the services of Dr. Lester James Peiris to local cinema. The village...

Acting Director General of Sri Lanka Standards Institute Nayana Satharasinghe says that the Buddhist Flag should be prepared according to SLS 802 National Standards.  She disclosed this during a media briefing in Colombo on the standard of Buddhist Flag. She said that it is not appropriate to use any symbols or verses on the Buddhi...

The Tuition Master who went missing after his luxury jeep fell in to Viyana Canal at Mahiyanganaya Maapakadawewa 17th mile post area, has surrendered to police. He has been questioned for about 5 hours. Police said some of his statement cannot be accepted. The accident occurred around 4.30 a.m. on Friday. Following an information receiv...

The lawsuit filed by the Bribery Commission against former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is due to be taken up for hearing on the 13th of July. This is for allegedly causing an unlawful loss of 230,984 rupees to the government after paying the former Minister’s mobile phone bill by using SPC funds, while functioning ...

The Consumer Affairs Authority has taken action to remove substandard Buddhist flags found at 10 business locations in the Gampaha town. The inspection of business locations was undertaken following complaints received from the public that substandard Buddhist flags were being sold. The order of the colours of some Buddhist flags had been...

President Maithripala Sirisena joined in viewing the maiden screening of the film “Yashodara.” The maiden screening of the film “Yashodara” alias “Bimbadevi” took place at the Savoy Cinema Hall in Wellawatte. It is directed by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne. President Maithripala Sirisena joined in the occasion as the Chief Guest. Among those who...

The International Cricket Council has asked an internal panel to suggest harsher punishment for ball-tampering and other misbehaviour by players in its bid to establish a “culture of respect”. The game’s image was sullied in Cape Town last month when Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera tampering with the ball during the...

Toyota’s Jari-Matti Latvala raced to the fastest time in the final shakedown before the start of Rally Argentina. The Finnish driver, who last won in Argentina in 2014, finished three-tenths of a second faster than Irishman Craig Breen, who narrowly finished ahead of Citroen teammate Kris Meeke of the UK. Norway’s Andreas Mikkelsen, the ...

The European Space Agency’s mission to search for life on Mars has reached an important milestone with its six-wheeled surface rover prototype ready for its “shake and bake”. Built by Airbus Defence and Space just north of London in Stevenage, Britain’s unlikely “Space City”, the so-called Structural Thermal Model is being packed off to ...

That is a core belief of the “Filling the music” project, created in Switzerland, where youngsters from 5 to 18 are taught to perform covers of hit songs. The resulting videos from the talented youth choir aren’t just great for kids’ self-confidence. They have also gone viral on YouTube! The incredible success has seen te...

නේපාලයේ පැවති 8 වන දකුණු ආසියා ජූඩෝ තරගාවලියේ ලෝකඩ පදක්කම් දෙකක් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට හිමිව තිබෙනවා. රටවල් පහක් නියෝජනය කරමින් ක්‍රීඩක ක්‍රීඩිකාවන් 155 දෙනෙකු තරගාවලියට එක්ව සිටියා. එහිදී කිලෝග්රෑම් හැටතුන බර පන්තිය නියෝජනය කළ කාන්තා පොලිස් කොස්තාපල් කරුණාරත්න ක්‍රීඩිකාව එක් ලෝකඩ පදක්කමක් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට දිනා දුන්නා. කිලෝග්රෑම් හැත්තෑව...

Astana cyclist Omar Fraile outfought Bahrain’s Sonny Colbrelli in a final sprint to the finish line on Yesterday to win the first stage of the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland.The stage from Fribourg to Delemont was a hilly affair with La Mondiale’s Alexis Gougeard and Wanty’s Marco Minnaard taking a significant lead for much ...

26Former world number one Novak Djokovic suffered a surprise second-round exit from the Barcelona Open on yesterday, when the Serb was beaten 6-2 1-6 6-3 by world number 140 Martin Klizan.Djokovic, who received a bye in the opening round, has not reached the last eight of a tournament since last year’s Wimbledon and has struggl...

Many young Parliamentarians have been appointed to high positions of the United National Party. Noteworthy was the appointment of many active young members being appointed to several responsible positions of the Party at the Working Committee meeting. Appointments were made yesterday to key positions of the United National Party under the...

A new Electoral Organizer and a new District Organizer have been appointed for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. They took their oaths before the President. Ajith Basnayake has been appointed as the Gampaha Electoral Organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He received his letter of appointment from President Maithripala Sirisena at the official...

The Police Life Saving Unit have launched operations in search of those who had disappeared after a jeep had toppled into the Viyana Canal. The Road Development Authority said that they have taken immediate action to build a fence at dangerous points of the Canal. A car had been found floating in the Viyana can...

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Duaris has pledged full support for economic development in Sri Lanka. The British High Commissioner gave this assurance when he met Minister Rishad Bathiudeen. The meeting took place at the Ministry of Industries and Economic Affairs. The British High Commissioner further said that his country...

Sri Lanka has won several medals including three gold medals from the International Young Scientists competition. The International Young Scientists competition was held in Belgrade, Serbia recently. Three students represented Sri Lanka. The three of them were able to achieve significant victories in the competition. There were competitors...

The Wesak Week begins. The Wesak week which commenced today will continue until the 02nd of next month. All arrangements are in place to hold the State Wesak Festival at the Bingiriya Devagiri Raja Maha Vihare premises. The State Wesak Festival is being held with the blessings of the Maha Sangha including the Mahanayake Thera...

The Indian High Commission in Colombo said that the most revered Relics from Sarnath will be in Sri Lanka for public exposition on the occasion of Vesak. This is the first time these Sacred Relics are being brought to Sri Lanka from India, and special arrangements have been made by the Government of India f...

The judiciary has ordered that the case reports be handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department to compile the necessary documents to get down Arjun Mahendran, the chief suspect in the bond scam case. The Criminal Investigations Department has issued red notices to 192 countries for the arrest of Arjun Mahendran via the international...

The Police are soliciting the support of the public to identify the suspects involved in the shooting incident during a musical show in the Attanagalla area. Photographs of the suspects have been released to the media. One individual was killed and four others sustained injuries during a shooting that happened at a musical show he...