A pilot initiative introducing the digital payment facility, UPI One World, for Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims visiting India was launched on Monday (17).

The initiative was launched by the SriLankan High Commission in India, in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

According to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, this pioneering digital payment facility enables Sri Lankan travellers to make secure, real-time payments across India without the requirement of an Indian mobile number, offering a modern, convenient alternative to carrying cash.

The launch event, held at the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi, was attended by Ven. Beragama Vimala Buddhi Thera, Administrative Secretary, Buddhist Pilgrims’ Rest; Ravi Kant Sharma, In-charge, Central Government Relations, NPCI; and Vivek Garg, In-charge, UPI Growth, NPCI.

The facility will also benefit Sri Lankans travelling to India for medical treatment, providing greater financial flexibility and safety during their stay.

The Sri Lankan High Commission states that introducing UPI One World for Sri Lankan visitors represents a meaningful advancement in improving their travel experience and facilitating people-to-people connectivity. It also underscores the deepening cooperation between Sri Lanka and India in promoting digital innovation and ease of travel. (Newswire)

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The Foreign Ministry says it is working to evacuate 73 Sri Lankan pilgrims currently in Nepal, due to ongoing nationwide protests.

According to the Ministry, the group had travelled to Nepal via India. 

The ministry said that despite initial technical difficulties, coordinated efforts are underway with the support of Nepali authorities to evacuate the pilgrims.

Earlier today, the Foreign Ministry said that all Sri Lankans living in Nepal are safe, with no reports of harm.

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu, there are 102 Sri Lankans in Nepal, including 22 students, other residents, and embassy staff. 

Embassy officials have been in direct contact with the community through WhatsApp groups and personal networks to monitor their safety.

Protests against Nepal’s short-lived ban on social media grew increasingly violent on Tuesday as demonstrators set government buildings and politicians’ homes on fire and attacked some leaders. The prime minister resigned amid widening criticism of the country’s political elite.

Tens of thousands of protesters remained on the streets late in the day, blocking roads and storming government facilities. Army helicopters ferried some ministers to safe places.

A day earlier, demonstrations led by young people angry about the blocking of several social media sites gripped the capital, and police opened fire on the crowds, killing 19 people.

The ban was lifted Tuesday, but the protests continued, fueled by rage over the deaths and accusations of political corruption in the nation. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has emphasized that it is unfair to arrest and fine pilgrims on their way to sacred sites like the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar and Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). 

The President instructed that if pilgrims are arrested in the future, the President’s Office should be informed immediately.

“The road to Madhu Church serves pilgrims, as does the road to Sri Pada for those visiting Sri Pada. It is unfair to arrest and impose a fine of Rs 300,000 on the church,” he said. 

The President directed the Sri Lanka Army to clean and develop both sides of the existing Madhu Road for the convenience of the pilgrims visiting Madhu Church. 

“Representatives from the Diocese of Mannar, Forest Conservation Department, Road Development Authority, Sri Lanka Police, and Army should collaborate to clean and develop this road,” he said.

He also coordinated with a representative of the Bishop of Mannar, the Department of Forest Conservation, the Road Development Authority, and the Sri Lanka Police to ensure these tasks are completed before the upcoming annual festival of the church of Our Lady of Madhu.

President Wickremesinghe further announced that pilgrims to the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu in Mannar will be provided with all necessary facilities to engage in their pilgrimage activities without any hindrance. 

He added that the lost development will be restored to the Mannar district, with the program starting this year.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued the instructions while addressing the Mannar District Development Committee meeting held on Sunday (June 16) at the Mannar District Secretariat. (Newswire)

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