‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak festival…

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Opposition Leader Sajith Preadasa inaugurated the second day of the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone, which is the National Vesak celebration organized by the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple in Colombo. The Vesak program includes various events organized at the Presidential Secretariat premises, Shangri-La Green Ground, and Gangarama Temple on May 23, 24, 25, and 26.

Rough seas keep fishermen ashore in Colombo

A line of fishing boats was spotted along the shore of Dikkowita Fisheries Harbor near Colombo, Sri Lanka, following authorities’ warnings to fishing communities against venturing out due to rough seas. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Wild dance of nature...

Gusty winds sweep through Colombo, bringing both chaos and joy. Amidst the flurry of leaves and scattered debris, some find exhilaration in the tempest, their faces alight with delight as they embrace the wild dance of nature. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak Poya holiday empties Colombo

Most people were out of Colombo due to the long holiday for Vesak Poya, leaving many roads in the city deserted. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

Sri Lankan envoy congratulates Chad’s new President

ri Lankan Ambassador to Kenya, Veluppillai Kananathan, attended the investiture ceremony of Chad’s newly elected President, Mahamat Idriss Déby. The ceremony, held in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital.

'Buddha Rashmi' Vesak Zone opens

The Gangaramaya ’Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone was declared open by President Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

China , Sri Lanka celebrate tea for harmony

On the occasion of the ’’International Tea Day’’ on May 21st, 2024, China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka held “Tea for Harmony”—Yaji Cultural Salon event opening ceremony in Colombo recently.

Rice Dansala in Pettah...

The annual rice Dansala organised by the Pettah Eksath Bodhiraja Society being held at the Pettah today with the participation of a large crowd. The Danasala will continue till tomorrow. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Prisoners released

Several prisoners were released from the Welikada Prison today to mark the Vesak Poya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tree uprooted in Maitland Crescent...

Inclement weather conditions uprooted a tree along Maitland Crescent today. The tree was cleared by the CMC officials later. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Kadala Dansala

People were seen savoring the flavor of Kadala at a Dansala in Homagama. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Vesak Poya Day...

Devotees are seen taking part in religious observances at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo to mark the Vesak Poya Day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

In tears...

Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dr. Alireza Delkhosh in tears during a condolence programme held at the Kollupitiya Jumu’ah Mosque today on the demise of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dansals in Colombo

Several dansals were conducted around the Colombo city to mark the Vesak full moon Poya Day. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Preparing for Vesak...

People are buying lanterns in Colombo to celebrate the Vesak festival which commemorates the birth of the Buddha, his enlightenment and demise. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sil programme at Lindsay Girls’ School

A sil programme was held at Lindsay Girls’ School, Colombo 03 to mark the occasion of Vesak tomorrow, . Teachers and students together observed sil by engaging in Dana, Seela and Bhavana. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Donate to save lives...

A blood donation camp was launched today at the Head quarters of the Sri Lanka Saukyadana Movement in observance of Vesak Poya Day. This marks the fourteenth time the organization has held this event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel.

Adverse weather affects daily chores

People engaged in their daily chores have been affected by the adverse weather. Depicted here are individuals working in Pettah suffering due to the adverse conditions as several roads in the Fort area experienced minor flooding. Pix by Nisal Baduge and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Bad weather uproots trees in Colombo

Due to the inclement weather, several trees in the Colombo city areas were uprooted last night. However, no injuries were reported. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Francisco receiving UNP membership

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Mulkirigala Organizer Nimal Francisco who joined United National Party (UNP) receives his membership from party Chairman Vajira Abeywardene at Sirikotha today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sri Lanka mourns

Flags at half mast after Sri Lanka declared today as a day of mourning in view of the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Black flags at Iranian Cultural Centre

Black flags were displayed at the Iranian Cultural Centre in Colombo mourning the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sri Lankan, Thai Missions in Kenya celebrate UN Vesak

The High Commission of Sri Lanka and the Thai Embassy in Kenya hosted the International Vesak Day 2024 celebration at the United Nations Office in Nairobi. This event commemorated the Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing Away of Lord Buddha and marked the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly resolution 54/115, recognizing the Day of Vesak internationally.

Crash site of Iranian president’s helicopter

Scenes of the crash site where the Iranian president, foreign minister and other occupants of the helicopter, including East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati were killed.

Saluting the brave…

The 15th National War Heroes’ Day was commemorated on Sunday (19) at the National War Heroes’ Memorial in Battaramulla under the aegis of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Among the participants were former military leaders such as Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, and Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke. Military leaders from various eras also came together to honour the fallen war heroes.

Indian guru and spiritual leader in Sri Lanka

During his three-day visit to Sri Lanka, humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met with journalists at an exclusive gathering at the Taj Samudra Hotel. He shared insights on how Art of Living centres established in Sri Lanka have helped people to come out of trauma and symptoms such as PTSD. A first day cover was also launched in honour of his visit. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Pindapatha Charika

A Pindapatha Charika was held at the Sri Swarna Shaila Bimbarama Viharaya at Katubedda, Moratuwa in view of the Vesak Poya Day under the guidance of Venerable Pannala Sobitha thera, head of the Bimbarama Viharaya. About 15 monks participated in the Pindapatha Charika. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Stitching Buddhist flags...

The picture shows employees of a self-owned business in Demetagoda stitching Buddhist flags to be sold to the public in light of the Vesak festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak pandals in the making….

As Vesak is just around the corner, people erecting pandals in various locations in Colombo, including Kosgashandiya, Thotalanga, Maradana, Peliyagoda, Orugodawaththa and Dematagoda. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest against military aids

The World Anti-War Alliance organized a march to the US Embassy today, demanding an end to US military aids. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe