The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone near the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening.US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswa

Vesak decorations are seen at the Gangaramaya Vesak Kalapaya ahead of Vesak Day celebrations. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry addressing the media in Colombo following meetings with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during his visit to Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep pathirana

Rescuers work to free people trapped by a powerful magnitude-7.9 earthquake, which hit near Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings.