The Chief Incumbent of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Ven. Dr Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thera has requested the public to refrain from queuing for the exposition of the sacred Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, after 10.00 pm today.

Addressing the media today, Ven. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thera said that there was only a specific number of people who could be allowed per day to view the sacred relics brought from India. 

Stating that arrangements have been made to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to view the sacred relics, Ven. Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thera said that, however, it is not possible to extend the exposition.

He revealed that an Indian delegation has arrived in Sri Lanka for the return of the Sacred relics. 

As such, he said, if queuing is halted from 10.00 pm today, then it could be made possible for those already in the queue to view the sacred relics tomorrow, the last day of the exposition. (Newswire)

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The veneration of the Sacred Relics, which are due to be brought to Sri Lanka with the intervention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the full patronage of the Government of India, will be held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo for seven days from 4 to 11 February.

A discussion to review the preliminary organisational arrangements was held this morning (21 Jan) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, and the Secretary to the President, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

According to the President’s Office, the corporeal relics of the Buddha, discovered during excavations carried out in the 1960s in the state of Gujarat, the birthplace of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have never previously been taken out of India. 

As a result of discussions held between Prime Minister Modi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, this rare opportunity for the people of Sri Lanka to venerate these sacred relics has now been made possible.

The Sacred Relics are scheduled to arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, on 4 February. From that day onwards, the general public will be able to venerate the relics at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.

Extensive discussions were held on the arrangements to be provided during the entire period, from the arrival of the Sacred Relics in Sri Lanka from India on 4 February until their return to India, as well as on the responsibilities assigned to the respective institutions and the related plans.

Expressing his views, the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, the Venerable Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thera, stated that it is the President’s expectation that all necessary facilities be provided in a manner that ensures the vast number of devotees arriving in Colombo for the veneration of the Sacred Relics do not face inconvenience. He also elaborated on the preparations already made at the Gangaramaya Temple for the sacred veneration.

Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, stated that this is a historic occasion for the people of Sri Lanka, as well as a significant milestone in efforts to foster a Buddhist revival in the country.

The occasion was attended by the Maha Sangha including the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, the Venerable Dr Kirinde Assaji Nayaka Thera; the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; the Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake; the Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusoof; the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar; the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ravi Seneviratne; secretaries of the relevant ministries and heads of state institutions; the Director General of Government Information, H. S. K. J. Bandara; the Commanders of the Tri-Forces; the Inspector General of Police and other heads of the security services; as well as representatives of private institutions extending their patronage to the event. (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 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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