Category: Breaking News

Give Kalmunai North Division its due status, protesters demand

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Locals allege interference by Kalmunai South and discrimination over development, land, and financial matters
By Wasantha Chandrapala and S. Rubatheesan

The scorching sun and intermittent rains have not deterred the women and men protesting outside the Divisional Secretary office in Kalmunai North, a Tamil populated area in Ampara, since Monday.

Their longstanding demand has been that the Divisional Secretariat area be given its due recognition, and function similar to other Divisional Secretariats across the country.

Former Assistant Director of Agriculture, Kandasamy Sivalingam (70), alleged that funds coming from the decentralised budget have been stopped and local communities are discriminated against when it comes to rural development, land, and financial matters.

That is very unfair to us. Even today, there are people coming from the Kalmunai South Division and filling up land illegally. All funds have to come through the Kalmunai South Division,” he told the Sunday Times.

“The Divisional Secretary South claiming to have rights over the land is distributing lands at his own will. Some of the ancient tank areas are being filled up. There seems to be no law, and Urban Development Authority (UDA) and coast conservation laws are not applied in these areas,” he charged.

The dispute dates back to 1989, when former Home Affairs Minister K.W. Dewanayagam created the Assistant Government Agents division.

A proposal was submitted to the Cabinet in March 1993 to create AGA divisions and Assistant Divisional Secretary offices. Kalmunai (North) was one such division. A Cabinet Subcommittee was set up, and their report was submitted in July 1993.

Accordingly, approval was granted to upgrade 28 divisions as Divisional Secretary areas, and that included Kalmunai North as well. Even though all other Divisional Secretaries are vested with land and financial powers, this Divisional Secretariat is barred from exercising those powers due to political decisions.

According to data (2022) from the DS division, which consists of multi-ethnic communities, it serves 36, 346 persons from 10,361 families in the region from six villages, namely Kalmunai, Pandiruppu, Periyaneelavanai, Natpiddimunai, Chenaikudiyiruppu, and Manalchenai.

Protesters alleged that the Divisional Secretary, Kalmunai South, who was appointed by the Public Service Commission, has been exercising his powers over the Kalmunai North DS division unlawfully with backing from authorities.

Even though a cadre position for the post of accountant was created for DS North recently, no steps have been taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs yet to fill the vacancy due to political pressure, protesters alleged.

Athisayaraj Jacob, Divisional Secretary of Kalmunai North, told the Sunday Times that failure to exercise the full powers of the council resulted in significant challenges in the day-to-day affairs of the administrative system of the council when it comes to serving the local community.

“Since we are unable to exercise powers with regard to land, finance, budgetary allocations, etc., we have been writing referral letters to other DS South and District Secretariats to perform our basic operations,” Mr. Jacob told the Sunday Times.

Following a similar protest in 2019, steps were taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs to upgrade the DS division, but locals questioned why the respective division needed to be upgraded when it had been functioning as a Divisional Secretariat for over 30 years based on a cabinet approval granted on July 28, 1993.

Those powers are exercised by the Kalmunai South Divisional Secretary area, which is located in a predominantly Muslim area. Protesters allege that the Kalmunai South Division is blocking the full fledged operations of the Kalmunai North Division due to political reasons.

Currently, around 320 state employees are attached to the Kalmunai North office, even though the office cannot exercise its powers fully and serve those residing within its limits.

Protesters allege that lands located in the Kalmunai North area are being distributed at the will of the Kalmunai South Divisional Secretary.

A visit to the area revealed that some of the of the area reserved for the water to flow into the sea is being used to construct houses, some of them multi-storey buildings. In some locations, walls have been built, blocking the flow of water as well, locals allege.

Divisional Secretary Kalmunai South J. Liyakath Ali said even though there is a Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, the land powers are with the Kalmunai South Divisional Secretariat . “Those powers have not been gazetted,”

In response to a question by the Sunday Times about illegal constructions in marshy lands that have been filled up, he said, “Those involved have obtained permits for the lands from the Kalmunai Municipal Council, and the Divisional Secretary cannot take responsibility.”

Pon Selvanayagam, a former municipal member, said that many of those who settled there claimed they had deeds, but those were illegally forged deeds. “We are taking to the streets due to the injustice that is taking place here,”

“There are other Divisional Secretary areas that have not been gazetted, but they have been given financial and land powers. Among the areas are Nawadanveli, Aliyadiwembu, and Lahugala. So the question is why Kalmunani North is being treated differently,” he asked.

“There cannot be two laws in one country,” he added.

Ampara District Secretary Chinthaka Abeywickrema said since the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat has not been vested with land powers, the Secretariat has appointed an Acting Accountant . “Therefore, we don’t see a problem there.”.

In response to the question about illegal lands, he said he has not got any reports so far on the matter. “If any information is provided, I will stop them right now.”.

Ms. V. Dushitha, an officer attached to the suboffice of the UDA in Kalmunai, said that approvals for construction are given by a planning committee, and so far approvals have been given only for two constructions, and the Kalmunai South divisional secretary said they were private lands. Filling in two other lands has been stopped.

UK updates travel advisory for Sri Lanka

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Due to Sri Lanka’s current economic advancement, the United Kingdom has revised its Travel Advisory for Sri Lanka effective April 5, 2024.

This update encompasses various aspects including access to emergency medical services, entry security requirements, road safety, overall security situation, and health facility accessibility, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said in a statement.

The revised advisory no longer includes previous concerns regarding shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. Additionally, the previously mentioned risks related to limitations in health services, such as the lack of medical equipment, have been omitted.

The Sri Lankan High Commission in London has consistently advocated to British authorities for the removal of negative information from previous advisories. This effort aims to ensure tourists have a clear understanding of Sri Lanka’s current progress, it added.

Between January 1 and March 27, a total of 53,928 tourists from the United Kingdom visited Sri Lanka, establishing the United Kingdom as the third largest source of tourist arrivals. This updated advisory is expected to further boost Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, the statement mentioned.

Sri Lanka, bondholders plan fresh round of debt talks this month – reports

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(Bloomberg) – Global investors and Sri Lanka officials expect to hold a second round of talks aimed at restructuring $12 billion in defaulted global bonds later this month, according to people familiar with the matter.

A group of bondholders, known as a steering committee, and government representatives came away from a first round of negotiations in Europe in late March without a deal. They plan to continue the discussions around the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings in Washington DC, which start April 15, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private. They didn’t disclose details of the proposal that’s under consideration.

Representatives for the central bank, treasury secretary and bondholder committee didn’t respond to messages seeking comment Friday.

A deal with private investors is among the last steps in Sri Lanka’s plan to overhaul $27 billion of foreign debt, including bonds and loans. The restructuring is critical to ensure financing from the IMF bailout keeps flowing. The government has already struck deals with official creditors, including China, India and the Paris Club as well as with holders of its local debt.

Dollar bonds due in 2030, which are among the most liquid, have gained about 9 cents this year to trade around 59 cents on the dollar, according to indicative pricing compiled by Bloomberg.

Government officials and global bondholders have discussed the issuance of macro-linked bonds as part of the restructuring. Those securities, which link bond payouts to the performance of Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product, were discussed during the first round of talks, the people said.

Advisers for bondholders, led by Rothschild & Co., are holding parallel discussions with members of the Paris Club to make them aware of its proposals. It’s an attempt to avoid the type of last-minute objections from the official creditors that have delayed other restructurings recently, including in Zambia, the people said.

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Basil Rajapaksa Hold Talks on Political Future and Elections

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Founder, Basil Rajapaksa, convened for another round of talks on Thursday evening.

The discussions centered around future political activities and electoral strategies, as confirmed by the SLPP. This marks the third meeting between President Wickremesinghe and Basil Rajapaksa, emphasizing the ongoing dialogue concerning forthcoming elections and other significant matters.

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Sri Lanka’s SJB welcomes SLPP dissidents, heaps praise on G L Peiris

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Sri Lanka’s main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has welcomed some of the most prominent members of the former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government headed by ousted ex president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, with the SJB general secretary particularly heaping praise on MP G L Peiris.

SJB parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma Bandara speaking at a ceremony to mark the alliance between his party and the Freedom People’s Congress headed by Peiris said the latter’s partnership was a “great strength” to the SJB.

“G L Peiris and the team have become a great strength to us today. He has joined us with his team, bringing in his economic vision, his knowledge, and his political experience,” said Bandara.

“I think this strengthens us greatly,” he added.

The MP claimed that a majority of Sri Lankans have already decided that only the SJB can save the country.

“Other parties that love the country, want to develop it, and think about the future generations of this country have decided to partner with the SJB,” he said.

The new alliance will be called the Samagi Jana Alliance, he said.

The other MPs who joined the alliance on Friday April 05 are SLPP MPs Dilan Perera, Nalaka Godahewa, Upul Galappaththi, Wasantha Yapa Bandara and K P S Kumarasiri .

The six MPs have signed a memorandum of understanding with the SJB.

Both the SJB and President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP) have alluded to coming crossovers to each other.

UNP parliamentarian Vajira Abeywardena said: “Let’s see what alliances there are after May.”

Referring to speculation that the presidential election may not be held this year, he said: “Because the opposition has nothing else to say, they’re using this as a slogan. When this year began, the president said clearly that the presidential election will be held before October 17.”

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Maithri under fire, Parliament to demand full disclosure on Easter Sunday attacks

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena who is at the centre of controversy over his latest remarks that he is aware of the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday carnage will be forced to place all his cards on the table when Parliament takes up a fresh debate on the matter during the next sitting week.

Parliament will take up a three-day debate when it meets for the first time after New Year on April 24, as agreed upon at the party leaders’ meeting conducted yesterday.

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) asked for the debate on the basis that the country serves to know the discourse of Mr. Sirisena who was the Head of State when the terrorist attack took place in 2019.

Recently, Mr. Sirisena stirred fresh controversy when he said that he knew who was behind the attack. Afterwards, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) interrogated him for hours. He was also asked to appear before court and make a statement, but he declined to do so.

However, he will now be prevailed upon to divulge what he knows in this regard. There are media reports that he implicated the name of a neighbouring country in his statement to the CID.

The parties will ask him to divulge all details on the basis that the country owes an explanation. Parliament has had debates related to the incident on and off.

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Sirisena Temporarily Barred from Chairmanship of SLFP

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The Colombo District Court issued an injunction prohibiting Maithripala Sirisena from serving in the role of Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

This legal order, effective until April 18, was granted in response to a request made by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Former Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, has formally petitioned the Colombo District Court, seeking a permanent injunction to remove Maithripala Sirisena from his position as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

The basis for this request is the assertion that he is unsuitable for the role.

On behalf of former President Bandaranaike, President’s Counsel Chandaka Jayasuriya, along with Attorneys Amila Dissanayake, and Purnima Ratnayake instructed by Attorney-at-Law K. M. S. R. Perera made submissions to Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana.

The attorneys emphasized that Maithripala Sirisena’s continued occupancy of the post of Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party constitutes a breach of the party’s constitution.

They pointed out that as per the party’s constitution, Maithripala Sirisena is eligible to serve as Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party during his tenure as the country’s president. However, post-presidency, he is designated as the party’s patron by official decree.

They argued that Maithripala Sirisena simultaneously holding the positions of party patron and chairman is inconsistent with the party’s constitutional framework.

Furthermore, they highlighted before the District Court that the Supreme Court had determined the infringement of fundamental rights during a trial concerning the Easter attack, and the Court also deemed the decisions made by Maithripala Sirisena during the 52-day government upheaval as erroneous, rendering him ineligible for the party chairmanship.

Given this context, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga petitioned the district court for a permanent injunction restraining Maithripala Sirisena from serving as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

She also requested an interim injunction to suspend his authority until the matter could be fully adjudicated.

In her plea to the district court, she underscored the necessity for an injunction to remain in force until the interim order was deliberated upon.

After due consideration of the pleas, Colombo District Judge Sandun Vithana issued an injunction prohibiting Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as party chairman until April 18th.

Simultaneously, the District Court issued injunctions against Acting Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Sarathi Dushmantha Mitrapala, Senior Vice President Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Vice President Faizer Mustafa, preventing the implementation of any decisions made by Maithripala Sirisena.

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Sri Lanka ready to provide Chinese enterprises preferential policies

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Sri Lanka welcomes the investment of more Chinese enterprises, and stands ready to provide a favorable investment and business environment for them, Sri Lanka said in a joint statement with China.

The island nation will “roll out at a faster pace preferential policies to facilitate the implementation of the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port integrated development projects,” it said.

“The two sides agree to work together to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate the formulation of a Belt and Road cooperation plan, and make all-out efforts to advance the Colombo Port City project and the integrated development project of Hambantota Port as signature projects of Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries.”

The joint statement was issued by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka on X (twitter) after Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena made an official visit to China last week.

The full statement is reproduced below:

Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Beijing, March 29, 2024

1. At the invitation of H.E. Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, paid an official visit to China and attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2024 from March 25 to 30, 2024.

2. During the visit, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena called on H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, held talks with Premier Li Qiang, and met with H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two sides had in-depth discussions and reached extensive common understandings on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

3. The two sides share the view that the peoples of China and Sri Lanka enjoy long-standing friendship, and have engaged in mutual learning, mutual assistance and seeking strength through unity. In the 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have strengthened traditional friendship, enhanced political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation, and engaged in close coordination on regional and international issues, setting a fine example of friendly interactions and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of different sizes. The two sides agree to carry forward the spirit of independence, self-reliance, solidarity and mutual assistance enshrined in the Agreement on Rice for Rubber, jointly tackle challenges, share opportunities and seek common development, thereby cementing and expanding the China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship to bring greater benefits to the two countries and peoples.

4. The two sides agree to keep the momentum of high-level interactions, expand exchanges and cooperation between governments and other stakeholders, strengthen strategic communication, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas.

5. The two sides reaffirm their mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. Sri Lanka reaffirms its firm commitment to the one-China principle, recognizing the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan as an inalienable part of China’s territory, supporting all efforts of the Chinese government to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposing “Taiwan independence” in any form. Sri Lanka reiterates that it will never allow its territory to be used for any anti-China secessionist activities. The Chinese side reiterates that it will continue to firmly support Sri Lanka in upholding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and show respect for and support Sri Lanka in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions. China reaffirms its commitment to an independent foreign policy of peace. Sri Lanka reaffirms its commitment to an independent nonaligned foreign policy.

6. Sri Lanka commends the Chinese people for the great achievements they have made in pursuing modernization under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and holds the view that the Chinese path to modernization provides a pathway and an action plan for developing countries to develop on their own.

7. Sri Lanka expresses appreciation to the Chinese side for the support that helped its financial difficulties, and, in particular, the pioneering step taken by the Chinese financial institution last year to propose a bilateral debts settlement plan and the preliminary agreement reached with Sri Lanka on the settlement of China-related debts on the basis of friendly consultation. The Chinese side expresses its readiness to continue supporting its financial institution in actively consulting with Sri Lanka, maintain friendly communication with other creditors, and play a positive role in the International Monetary Fund, to help Sri Lanka ease its financial difficulties and achieve debt sustainability.

8. Sri Lanka expresses appreciation and thanks to the Chinese side for the assistance on its economic and social development, and speaks highly of the important role played by Belt and Road cooperation in boosting the economic development and livelihood improvement in Sri Lanka and other Belt and Road partner countries. The two sides agree to work together to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate the formulation of a Belt and Road cooperation plan, and make all-out efforts to advance the Colombo Port City project and the integrated development project of Hambantota Port as signature projects of Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries.

9. Sri Lanka welcomes the investment of more Chinese enterprises, and stands ready to provide a favorable investment and business environment for them and roll out at a faster pace preferential policies to facilitate the implementation of the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port integrated development projects. China will continue to encourage competent Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and assist Sri Lanka in achieving economic transformation and sustainable development.

10. The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress of bilateral cooperation in economy and trade. Sri Lanka expressed appreciation over the multiple measures China has adopted to increase import from Sri Lanka. China expressed its readiness to continue supporting Sri Lankan enterprises in the tea and other industries in establishing ties with relevant Chinese associations of importers and exporters, facilitate Sri Lanka’s participation in expos such as the China International Import Expo, the China-South Asia Exposition and the China Import and Export Fair, make good use of e-commerce platforms, and further enhance cooperation between enterprises of the two countries on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. The two sides will work toward the early conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement in one package in line with the principles of equality, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

11. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka and continue to deliver on the emergency humanitarian assistance to support Sri Lanka in its economic development and livelihood improvement. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to step up cooperation in such areas as medical health, connectivity and climate change. China welcomes Sri Lankan officials, experts and scholars on climate change to take part in training programs in China.

12. The two sides speak highly of their exchange and cooperation programs in such fields as the development of tropical crops industries, protection and utilization of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, and farming and processing of agricultural products. The two sides will continue to work together on agritech exchange and training, with a focus on shared cooperation priorities, and help Sri Lanka enhance its comprehensive agricultural production capacity. China will give full scope to the role of the China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center in Chongqing, to carry out the China-Sri Lanka friendship hybrid rice demonstration park and other poverty reduction and livelihood assistance projects in Sri Lanka, strengthen exchange and training for agricultural technology and management personnel, promote the application of scientific and technological outcomes, and help Sri Lanka increase rice yield and farmers’ income and boost rural development. China welcomes more imports of quality agricultural products from Sri Lanka.

13. The two sides fully recognized the importance of education exchanges for increasing understanding and friendship, and expressed readiness to further enhance exchanges of teachers, students, and researchers. The two sides will work together to ensure the sound development and operation of the China-Sri Lanka Joint Center of Science and Education under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and carry out joint studies, personnel training and other cooperation. The two sides are ready to strengthen coordination and deepen exchanges and cooperation in fields including disaster prevention and mitigation, maritime rescue, relief and research, maritime domain awareness, marine biological diversity, maritime personnel training and capacity building, and further explore cooperation on the blue economy for the building of a maritime community with a shared future. The two sides will hold periodical bilateral consultations on maritime affairs.

14. The two sides will, under the framework of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia, deepen cooperation on cultural heritage. China is ready to provide assistance to Sri Lanka in the authentication and restoration of porcelain ware and other Chinese artifacts brought to Sri Lanka by Admiral Zheng He during his navigation in ancient times.

15. The two sides will continue to encourage tourist travel by their citizens in each other’s country, encourage the strengthening of aviation connectivity, and leverage the role of the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka. China will continue to support Sri Lanka in holding tourism promotion activities in China. Sri Lanka is ready to roll out more tourism facilitation policies.

16. The two sides agreed to deepen sister-city and people-to-people exchange and cooperation, to foster deeper understanding and affinity between the two peoples. The two sides will take active steps to promote the establishment of a sister-city relationship between Dali city of Yunnan Province of China and Seethawakapura of Sri Lanka. The medical team of Yunnan Province will continue to provide services in Sri Lanka under the Brightness Action program.

17. The two sides will jointly champion the building of an equal and orderly multi-polar world, practice true multilateralism, promote greater democracy in international relations, and call on all countries to jointly safeguard the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, jointly defend the universally recognized basic norms of international relations, and jointly contribute to the reform and development of the global governance system. The two sides will join hands in promoting universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, firmly reject unilateralism, protectionism and deglobalization in all their forms, and ensure the stable and smooth functioning of the global industrial and supply chains.

18. The two sides hold the view that in marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, it is important to further carry forward these five principles, i.e. respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, mutual noninterference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, and commit to building a community with a shared future for Asia and for mankind. Sri Lanka reiterates its firm support for and readiness to actively participate in the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China.

19. During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents in industrial investment, standardization, livelihood assistance, agriculture, media and other areas.

20. Prime Minister Gunawardena expressed appreciation to the Chinese government and people for the warm hospitality extended to him and the Sri Lankan delegation, and invited Chinese leaders to visit Sri Lanka. Chinese leaders thanked Prime Minister Gunawardena for the invitation, and the two sides will maintain communication via diplomatic channels.

Sacred lord Buddha relics from Sri Lanka presented to Dalai Lama

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Lord Buddha’s sacred Kapilavastu relics, situated at a holy temple in Sri Lanka, have been offered to the Dalai Lama on Thursday morning, the office of Dalai Lama said in a statement.

The sacred relics are located at Rajaguru Sri Subhuthi Maha Viharaya inWaskaduwa, a Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.

Notably, the Kapilavastu relics hold immense historical and spiritual significance, connecting the devotees to the profound legacy of Lord Buddha.

The Sri Subhuthi Maha Viharaya in Waskaduwa houses 21 relics of the Lord Buddha.

Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero is the custodian of these precious Kapilavastu relics, which have been preserved and protected for generations till now at Sri Subhuthi Maha Viharaya in Waskaduwa, Sri Lanka.

In February, Dalai Lama, on the occasion of Chotrul Duechen, gave a short general teaching from the Jataka Tales at the Main Tibetan Temple, Tsuglagkhang, in the Himachal Pradesh hill town of Dharamshala, which was attended by over 3000 Tibetan followers, including Buddhist monks, nuns and foreigners from different parts of the world.

Chotrul Duechen is the day of offerings and is celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st Tibetan month. The day, which means Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations,” is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha.

Earlier in March, the relics of Lord Buddha and those of his two main disciples, Arahant Sariputta and Maha Moggallana, were sent on a 25-day exposition across four cities in Thailand.

The exposition drew a phenomenal response, during which over 4 million devotees from Thailand and other countries in the Mekong region paid homage to the relics.

The revered relics’ exposition, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), travelled to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani and Krabi provinces, starting from New Delhi on February 22.

Source: Asia News International

SLFP internal crisis intensifies: Sirisena responds to injunction over CBK’s plaint

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena says he expects to present facts before the court with regard to the interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court, preventing him from functioning as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The Colombo District Court on Thursday (04) issued an interim injunction preventing Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP chairman, following a complaint filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Speaking to the media this evening (04), Sirisena said: “I got to know in the afternoon that Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike has obtained an interim injunction to remove me from the chairmanship [of SLFP]. I only saw on media that the injunction is effective until April 18.”

The former President also said that he has not been officially informed of the order in writing as of yet.

“These types of challenges are not new in the history of the SLFP. Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike, Mr. Kumaratunga, Mr. Anura Bandaranaike… they have all separated from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and formed new parties. After Mrs. Bandaranaike’s civic rights were stripped in 1977, we had to remain in the opposition for 17 years due to such actions by them”, he added.

“Regardless of the challenges we face, we, as a steadfast group within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, will conduct future political activities independently of the ruling party. In the future, we will present the facts before the court and also inform the people of the exact situation”, Sirisena expressed.