SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has unveiled a landmark international branding initiative to promote the Colombo Nawam Maha Perahera 2026, one of the country’s most distinguished religious and cultural festivals. 

According to the Gangaramaya Temple, the initiative is showcased on an Airbus A320neo, transforming the aircraft into a flying ambassador of Sri Lanka’s living heritage.

Through a specially designed aircraft livery, SriLankan Airlines now carries the prestige, spirituality, and cultural identity of the Nawam Maha Perahera across its international route network. 

This initiative positions the Perahera not only as a sacred Buddhist procession but also as a major cultural and tourism attraction, highlighting Colombo as a destination of heritage, harmony, and tradition.

Organised under the auspices of the Gangaramaya Temple, the Nawam Maha Perahera is internationally recognised for its historical significance, spiritual depth, and ceremonial grandeur. 

The concept for this international branding initiative was initiated by Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, who recognised aviation as a powerful platform for cultural diplomacy and global storytelling.

The successful realisation of this initiative has been made possible through the collective efforts of the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, devoted devotees and supporters, and the institutional collaboration of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Aviation, together with the full cooperation of SriLankan Airlines. 

The entire international aircraft branding initiative has been fully funded by the Gangaramaya Temple, together with the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, reflecting the commitment of the Temple and its devotees to preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural heritage on a global stage.

SriLankan Airlines extended its support across all levels of the organisation. Special appreciation is extended to the Chairman, Board of Directors, senior management, engineering and technical teams, designers, operational staff, and frontline employees, whose combined expertise and dedication transformed this cultural vision into reality.

Recently, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with members of the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, visited the SriLankan Airlines engineering and operations premises in Katunayake, accompanied by resident young Buddhist monks from the Gangaramaya Temple. 

During the visit, the delegation observed the progress of the aircraft branding work and offered blessings to the SriLankan Airlines team, expressing appreciation for their professionalism and commitment.

As the Airbus A320neo travels from city to city and culture to culture, it carries with it the story of Gangaramaya Temple, the Nawam Maha Perahera, and Sri Lanka’s enduring cultural values fostering international awareness and strengthening the country’s image as a destination of faith, heritage, and cultural pride.

The Gangaramaya Temple added that this initiative stands as a strong example of how religion, culture, tourism, and national aviation can work together in unity to elevate Sri Lanka’s presence on the global stage in the lead-up to the Colombo Nawam Maha Perahera 2026. (Newswire)

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A tense situation was reported during the Devinuwara Esala Perahera procession after an elephant suddenly went on rampage.

Video footage of the incident shows the elephant suddenly attacking its mahout, before walking away.

The elephant remains aggressive with other mahouts attempting to control the animal and contain the situation. 

The public seated on pavements to view the perahera were seen panicking and scrambling away to safety. (Newswire)

Tense scenes at Devinuwara Perahera

An elephant taking part in the Perahera suddenly went on a rampage, injuring its mahout.

Viewer discretion advised.

Dinesh Lokugamage pic.twitter.com/hkqISltOJX

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) August 4, 2025

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A female elephant that had participated in the annual Esala Perahera of the Mahiyanganaya Rajamaha Viharaya has been injured after being shot by a Wildlife officer.

The officer in question is a Civil Defence Department officer attached to the Mapakada Wewa Wildlife Office.

The Mahiyanganaya Police has arrested the wildlife officer after being notified by the Basnayake Nilame of Sri Sumana Saman Dewalaya. 

According to media reports, the Wildlife officer had fired at the female elephant after it was found with chains on the banks of the Mahaweli River, mistaking it for a wild elephant. 

Issuing a statement on the incident, the Director General of the Wildlife Conservation Department, M.G.C. Sooriyabandara said that one of its officers had mistakenly fired rubber bullets at the female elephant ‘Sita’.

Sooriyabandara  further said that the officer had taken the measure in an attempt to scare off the wild elephants in the vicinity.

The injured elephant is being treated by a veterinary surgeon of the Wildlife Conservation Department. (NewsWire)

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Acknowledging the importance of elephant protection during Peraheras in Sri Lanka, President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored the need to preserve and uphold the nation’s ancient customs. 

President Wickremesinghe called for the resolution of challenges such as acquiring tame elephants for the Perahera through constructive negotiations. 

Additionally, the President noted that Kandy’s esteemed Esala Maha Perahera would hold a special place in a program designed to enhance progress in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector by the upcoming year.

Expressing his deep gratitude to all those who supported the Perahera, President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the significance of safeguarding the historical Kandy Esala Perahera. 

He highlighted that this event was not only a religious and national celebration but also a grand cultural festival that showcased Sri Lankan heritage on the global stage. 

President Wickremesinghe further stressed the importance of carrying this legacy forward.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), President Wickremesinghe made the remarks during a ceremony held in Kandy yesterday (Aug. 31).

During the ceremony, the Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela, handed over the Esala Perahera Scroll to President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday.

The Scroll highlights the meticulous execution of the annual Esala Perahera at Kandy’s Sri Dalanda Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic), a magnificent cultural festival celebrated with great reverence for ancient traditions.

Accompanied by the Nilames of Sathara Maha Dawala and Pitisara Dewala, including the Diyawadana Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa Pradeep Nilanga Dela, the procession made its way to the Kandy President’s House. The President warmly welcomed them at the main gate of the premises.

In accordance with custom, the Diyawadana Nilame formally presented the Scroll of Memorandum to the President. As a symbolic gesture, the President offered a fruit treat to the baby elephant “Sindu”, reminiscent of the elephants that graced the procession. Continuing the tradition, a group photo was taken with the Nilames and the President.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe took the opportunity to honour the artists who participated in the Perahera by presenting them with traditional gifts and awards. Additionally, he extended financial support to ‘Pitisara Devala’ through the “Esala Perahera Trust” and shared the book “Sacred Dalada Culture,” a compilation by the Central Provincial Ministry of Culture.

The event saw the participation of several notable figures, including Central Province Governor Lalith U Gamage, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, State Minister Dilum Amunugama, Member of Parliament Gunathilaka Rajapakse, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Somaratne Vidanapathirana, as well as various government officials and the chiefs of the three armed forces. Additionally, the Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, along with Basnayake Nilames representing the Sathara Maha Devala, Pitisara Devala and other Nilames were also present at the event. (NewsWire)

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