President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has briefed the Mahanayake Theros and Anunayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters on the Government’s ongoing measures to confront the aftermath of the most severe natural disaster Sri Lanka faced in the past year.

The President briefed the Mahanayake Theros and Anunayake Theros after having visited the historic Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) in Kandy this morning (01 Jan), where he paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic and received blessings for the New Year. 

According to the President’s Office, the President also participated in religious observances held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and engaged in cordial conversation with devotees who had gathered to mark the New Year.

Subsequently, the President visited the Malwathu Maha Vihara and called on the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thero. The President also inquired into the well-being of the Mahanayake Thero and engaged in a brief discussion. 

The Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter, the Most Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Darshanapathi  Mahawela Rathanapala Nayaka Thero, was also present on the occasion. The Maha Sangha chanted the Seth Pirith and invoked blessings upon the President.

The President also met the Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, the Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Thero, and inquired into his well-being.

Subsequently, President Dissanayake visited the Asgiri Maha Vihara, where he met the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiri Chapter and engaged in a brief discussion. 

Extending New Year blessings to the President, the Asgiri Mahanayake Thero expressed his best wishes for the successful continuation of the Government’s programme, led by the President, aimed at building a more prosperous nation for the people, with renewed strength and determination in the New Year.

The President also met the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter, the Most Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Anunayake Thero, and held a brief discussion.

During these meetings, the President briefed them on the measures being implemented by the Government to address the challenges faced due to the natural disaster. The Maha Sangha extended their blessings for the successful continuation of these efforts. (Newswire)

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All arrangements have been finalized for the selection meeting to appoint a new Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, scheduled for tomorrow (07).

It is reported that the election will take place at the Senkadagala Buddhist Hall, under the leadership of the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs.

The following candidates have been officially announced:

• Pradeep Nilanga Dela – Current Acting Diyawadana Nilame
• Daminda Bandara Udurawana – Chief Custodian of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya and Pasgama Sri Natha Devalaya
• A.W.S. Bandaranayake – Chief Custodian of the Natha Devalaya and Embekke Sri Kataragama Devalaya
• Prof. Tilak Subasinghe – Department of Business Finance, Faculty of Management, University of Peradeniya
• Gamini Kaluhendiwala – Science graduate, University of Peradeniya
• Roshan Priyadarshana – Businessman and Chief Custodian of Badulla Sonuththara Raja Maha Viharaya and Sathara Maha Devalaya
• Nanda Madugalle – Retired Army Colonel

The newly appointed Nilame will hold office until 2035, in accordance with the Temple and Devalagam Ordinance.

According to the Department of Buddhist Affairs, 267 individuals are eligible to vote in this selection process, including members of the Maha Sangha.

Eligible voters include 157 clergy and lay custodians from royal temples within the former Kandyan Kingdom, 71 Divisional Secretaries from the region, and 29 Chief Custodians of devalayas gazetted under the Temple and Devalagam Ordinance.

Although 31 devalayas are entitled to vote, candidates Daminda Bandara Udurawana and A.W.S. Bandaranayake each hold custodianship of two devalayas, and may vote representing only one, limiting the total number of custodian votes to 29.

Entry to the meeting hall is restricted to official candidates and eligible voters. Any candidate whose nomination is not formally validated will not be permitted to remain inside the hall.

Since the Kandyan Kingdom came under British rule, 19 individuals have served as Diyawadana Nilame. (Newswire)

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A Chinese national has been taken into custody by the Sri Dalada Maligawa Police Station for allegedly using a drone without proper authorization to record video footage of the high-security zone surrounding the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

According to the Police, the 48-year-old Chinese national launched the drone around 7:00 PM yesterday (15) from near the official residence of the Diyawadana Nilame.

The drone, which had flown over the Sri Dalada Maligawa, was brought down by the Air Force using jammer equipment. 

For further investigation, both the Chinese national and the drone have been handed over to the Kandy Tourist Police Unit by the Sri Dalada Maligawa Police. (Newswire)

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The Government has appealed to the public attending the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ in Kandy to avoid bringing non-biodegradable items, such as polythene, and to prioritize cleanliness within and around the Sri Dalada Maligawa temple premises. 

According to a statement from the President’s Office, visitors have been reminded to dispose of waste responsibly, using only the designated disposal areas.

The request has been made from the devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic as part of the government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ national programme. 

Clean Sri Lanka seeks to inspire a collective awakening in environmental, social and ethical consciousness, striving to uplift the nation towards a cleaner and more responsible society.

This programme places special emphasis on creating a waste-free environment and encouraging proper waste management practices.

In alignment with the commencement of the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, a series of activities under the Clean Sri Lanka programme have been launched around the Sri Dalada Maligawa to support this cause. (Newswire)

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The Government Information Department has warned the public of a fake invitation for the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ in Kandy being circulated on social media. 

Issuing a special statement, the Government Information Department said the government has not issued any such invitation. 

The invitation claiming to be from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invites the public to attend the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’ in Kandy today. 

The fake invitation has been circulated at a time when the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, commences today.

The exposition, being held after 16 years, will be conducted for 10 days from 18-27 April 2025. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with several foreign diplomats, is expected to participate in the inaugural event of the ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, which will commence today after 16 years.

Diplomats from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea are among those taking part. 

According to the President’s Office, the group travelled to Kandy this morning in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from Colombo-Fort Railway Station at around 7:00 a.m.

This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka.

Upon arrival in Kandy, the delegation first visited the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, where a special Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration was organised in accordance with local customs to welcome them.

Additional diplomats are expected to join the group in Kandy, bringing the total number of participants to 44. Together, they will proceed to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic to take part in the inauguration ceremony of the “Siri Dalada Vandanawa.” Afterwards, the group will return to Colombo by train.

At the request of the President, the Siri  Dalada Vandanawa will be held under the guidance of the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters, and under the direction of the Diyawadana Nilame of the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. The event will continue for 10 days, from today until 27 April.

Today (18 Apr), on the opening day, the public will have the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. From tomorrow (19 Apr) onwards, veneration will be open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police has launched a website for the convenience of the pilgrims visiting the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, which commences today.

The public can obtain important information regarding the special exposition by visiting daladadekma.police.lk.

The website offers the following special features for the convenience of pilgrims;

Announcements – gives details on prayer times at the Sri Dalada Maligawa and details of traffic and security arrangements.

End of Queue – helps pilgrims track the end location of queues for the special exposition.

Important Places -provides information on nearby toilet facilities.

Vehicle park availability – provides details of car parks available for light and heavy vehicles, including buses.  

Instructions – briefs the pilgrims on dos and don’ts related to the special exposition. 

The website has been designed in a manner to provide live tracking of the above-mentioned information. 

The special exposition, being held after 16 years, will be conducted for a period of 10 days, from 18-27 April 2025. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police has announced special security and traffic plans in view of the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy.

The special exposition, being held after 16 years, will be conducted for a period of 10 days, from 18-27 April 2025. 

As such, over 10,000 Police officers have been deployed to carry out security checks on the public, traffic duties, and ease traffic congestion in Kandy city during this period.

The Police Department has launched a special traffic plan for Kandy city starting today (17 Apr), in view of the special exposition set to commence tomorrow. 

The traffic arrangements are as follows; 

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Several schools in the Kandy area are to be closed in view of the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

According to the Education Secretary of the Central Province, 37 schools in the Kandy area are to be closed for this purpose. 

The Education Secretary further said the schools are to be closed from 21 to 25 April 2025.

The special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy is being held after 16 years. 

The event will be held for a period of 10 days, from 18-27 April 2025. (Newswire)

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Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi says all preparations have been completed for the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, which is being held after 16 years. 

He made the statement during a special press conference held at the Department of Government Information today on the ‘2025 Sri Dalada Maligawa Pilgrimage’.

Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic at the Sri Dalada Maligawa will be held for a period of 10 days, from 18-27 April 2025.

“Under the guidance of the President, with the advice of the Mahanayake Theros and the approval of the Diyawadana Nilame, all arrangements are currently being made for this purpose,” he added. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Malwathu-Asgiri temples have donated Rs.15 million in financial assistance to support those affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar.

On Wednesday (02 Apr), the Chief Incumbent of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Anunayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters, along with committee members and the Maha Sangha, gathered near the Sacred Tooth Relic to chant Pirith and offer blessings.

According to a statement from the Sri Dalada Maligawa, this ceremony was held to honour the lives lost in the disaster and to pray for the well-being and recovery of the people of Myanmar.

“Sri Lanka shares a long-standing and close relationship with Myanmar, a nation with a deep-rooted Theravada Buddhist tradition. In a reaffirmation of this bond, the Sri Dalada Maligawa and the Malwathu-Asgiri temples have donated 15 million rupees in financial assistance to support those affected by the recent natural disaster in Myanmar,” the statement said.

The donation was officially handed over to the Ambassador of Myanmar in Sri Lanka by the Most Venerable Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter and the Honorable Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the transfer of the Ehalepola Walawwa and its grounds to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.

According to the government, at a Cabinet meeting held in February 2024, the Secretary to the President was informed to discuss with all the relevant parties and submit a report with recommendations regarding the handing over of the Ehalepola Walawwa to the Temple of the Tooth Relic. 

The report recommended that this building should be transferred to the Temple of the Tooth Relic as a project has been prepared by the Temple to present its history in a more attractive way to society.

As per the report, the Temple aims to establish a wax museum in this building to represent the historical and environmental background of the Kingdom of Kandy that existed hundreds of years ago and to create local and foreign tourist attractions. 

Thereby, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the President to hand the Ehalepola Walawwa and its grounds over to the Temple of the Tooth Relic through a title deed of sacred premises. (NewsWire)

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A Chinese national has been arrested after he operated a drone in the Sri Dalada Maligawa premises in Kandy while attempting to capture the Kubal Perahera of the Esala Perehera. 

According to reports, the Chinese national had been arrested on suspicion by the Kandy Police.

Investigations have revealed that the Chinese national who is staying at a hotel in Kandy had operated the drone from the window of his hotel room around 09.30 pm on Monday (21). 

The Chinese nation is reported to have arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday and travelled to Kandy and reached his hotel on Monday. 

The Kandy Police is conducting further investigations into the incident. (NewsWire)

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Social media activist Sepal Amarasinghe has been released after issuing an unconditional apology for defaming the Temple of Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy.

Following his apology, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court decided to conclude the case pertaining to his arrest for defamation. The decision was announced after the case was taken up for hearing before Colombo Magistrate Prasanna Alwis today.

During the hearing, Sepal Amarasinghe’s lawyer informed the court that his client unconditionally apologizes to the Mahanayake Theros and the followers of Buddhism for his actions.

Representing the complainants, Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the court that the case can be concluded if such an apology is issued.

A group of Buddhist monks were present during the court hearing and accepted the apology issued by Social media activist Sepal Amarasinghe after which the court decided to conclude the case.

Sepal Amarasinghe was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on 5th January after making several controversial statements about Sri Dalada Maligawa on his YouTube channel.

His arrest came following a directive issued by the IGP after President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s attention was drawn to the matter by the Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiriya sectors. 

The Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiriya sectors stated in a joint letter to the President, that video footage circulated on social media platforms by Sepala Amarasinghe contains statements offensive to Buddhism.

Stating that this was causing harm to Buddhism and the historic ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’, the Mahanayake Theros called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe to immediately take necessary actions in this regard. (NewsWire)

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Social media activist Sepal Amarasingha who was arrested for his defamatory statements on the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy has been further remanded.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today further remanded Sepal Amarasinghe until the 21st of February 2023.

He was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on 5th January after making several controversial statements about the Sri Dalada Maligawa on his YouTube channel.

His arrest comes on a directive issued by the IGP after President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s attention was drawn to the matter by the Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiriya sectors. 

The Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiriya sectors stated in a joint letter to the President, that video footage circulated on social media platforms by Sepala Amarasinghe contains statements offensive to Buddhism.

Stating that this was causing harm to Buddhism and the historic ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’, the Mahanayake Theros called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe to immediately take necessary actions in this regard. (NewsWire)

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The Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickremaratne has been requested to take action to prevent the alleged slanderous propaganda on some social media platforms defaming the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy and the Mahanayake Theros. 

The request has been made in a letter addressed to the IGP by the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thero, Mahanayake of Malwathu Chapter Most Ven. Thibbotuwave Sri Sumangala Thero, and Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela.

The letter highlights the malicious and false statements being circulated on social media and certain media on the Sri Dalada Maligawa, the Malwathu-Asgiri Mahanayake Theras, and the Diyawadana Nilame. 

Thanking the IGP for having taken prompt action on a previous occasion, the Theros and Diyawadana Nilame have requested action to be taken against the newly circulated baseless, false and hateful statements. 

The letter points out that this malicious campaign is aimed at undermining the faith and sacredness of Buddhist people in Sri Lanka and abroad for the Dalada Maligawa as well as religious services. (NewsWire)

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