Police have arrested five suspects aged 16 and 17 in connection with the assault of a youth near a Dansala in Malabe town on Poson Poya Day (29).

The arrests were made yesterday following a complaint lodged with the Malabe Police regarding a video circulating on social media that showed the youth being attacked with helmets, kicked, and punched. 

The suspects, residents of Kotalawala, Pattiyawatte Road, were taken into custody the same day.

Preliminary investigations revealed the incident stemmed from a dispute in a queue at a rice Dansala.

The victim had asked two individuals attempting to cut into the line to move to the end, which escalated into a violent confrontation.

The arrested suspects are scheduled to be produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court today (01). 

The Malabe Police said further investigations are underway to apprehend additional individuals involved in the assault. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his Poson Full Moon Poya Day message, urged Sri Lankans to revive the fading values and moral principles rooted in Buddhism, stressing that no nation can achieve genuine progress without an ethical foundation.

The President recalled that it was on a Poson day that Arahat Mahinda Thera first brought the noble teachings of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, sparking both a spiritual awakening and a far‑reaching social transformation. He noted that Buddhism not only shaped the nation’s cultural, social and political order but also transformed education by turning temples into centres of learning.

Highlighting the legacy of Buddhist influence on architecture, painting, irrigation engineering, and artistic traditions, the President said Sri Lanka’s heritage placed the nation in a position of distinction before the world.

“As the present‑day heirs to such a glorious and noble heritage, we all bear an inescapable responsibility to revive the values and moral principles that are gradually fading from society and to work together towards building a civilised State,” he stated, adding that efforts are already underway to restore civility across Parliament and State institutions.

Citing the Cūḷa Hatthi Padôpama Sutta, expounded by Arahat Mahinda Thera, the President underscored the importance of gradual training and disciplined development. He called on citizens to unite with strength and conviction to build a modern, enlightened State founded upon ethical, social and environmental values.

“May this sacred Poson Festival illuminate every heart with compassion, loving‑kindness and wisdom,” the President concluded.

Full statement –

It was on a Poson Full Moon Poya Day such as today that the noble teachings of Buddhism, which profoundly transformed the course of the Sri Lankan nation, were first bestowed upon this land.

The arrival of Arahat Mahinda Thera marked the beginning of Sri Lanka’s emergence as a centre of Theravada Buddhist philosophy and tradition. That momentous event, which gave rise to both a spiritual awakening and a far-reaching social transformation, extended far beyond its religious significance and laid the foundation for a more advanced cultural, social and political order throughout the country.

Buddhism not only established a strong foundation for the nation to flourish but also brought about a transformation in education. By turning temples into centres of learning and monastic education, it fulfilled a vital social role as a hub of knowledge, fostering a profound spiritual renaissance among the people.

Moreover, it inspired remarkable developments in architecture, painting, irrigation engineering, building design, wood carving and other artistic traditions, elevating our nation to a position of distinction and pride before the world.

As the present-day heirs to such a glorious and noble heritage, we all bear an inescapable responsibility to revive the values and moral principles that are gradually fading from society and to work together towards building a civilised State. In this endeavour, we are already engaged in the struggle to restore civility across all spheres of public life, including Parliament and State institutions.

No nation can achieve genuine progress without an ethical foundation. The Cūḷa Hatthi Padôpama Sutta, expounded by Arahat Mahinda Thera, underscores the importance of gradual training and disciplined development. By re-establishing on Sri Lankan soil the proud legacy of the civilised society that came with Buddhism, let us join hands with unwavering determination to build a modern and enlightened State founded upon the ethical, social and environmental values that our nation so urgently requires.

I therefore invite all citizens to unite in this noble endeavour with strength and conviction.

May this sacred Poson Festival illuminate every heart with compassion, loving-kindness and wisdom. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have announced special traffic and security arrangements across the Colombo Central Division from June 26 to July 2 for the Poson Festival. 

The measures coincide with the State Poson Festival centered on the historic sacred sites of Anuradhapura’s Atamasthana, Mihintale Temple grounds, and Tantirimale Raja Maha Viharaya. 

Within Kompannaveediya, Fort, Maradana, Maligawatte, and Aduruppuveediya police areas, a Poson zone will feature three Bhakthi Gee recitals, 70 lantern displays, and four dansals, with officers deployed for security and traffic management. 

For the first time, the Scout Association will organize a Scout Poson Zone along the road from Lake House Roundabout to Police Headquarters on June 28 and 29. 

Police have urged the public to use alternative routes provided by traffic officers to ease congestion on main roads during the festival period. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Railways Department has announced that special train services will operate to Anuradhapura and Mihintale to facilitate travel for devotees during the upcoming Poson Full Moon Poya.

According to the Railway Department, the additional trains will run from Saturday (27 June) to Tuesday (30 June), supplementing the regular services already in operation. 

The move is aimed at easing the travel of thousands of pilgrims expected to journey to the historic sacred sites for Poson observances. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have warned that motorcyclists causing public nuisance during the upcoming Poson festival will be arrested, particularly those riding in groups with modified silencers that produce excessive noise.

Head of the Traffic and Road Safety Range, DIG W.P.J. Senadheera said special traffic operations have been instructed to take into custody motorcycles fitted with loud modified exhaust systems. 

He emphasized that riders of such vehicles will be arrested under the Motor Traffic Law.

DIG Senadheera cautioned youngsters to refrain from using modified vehicles and noted that investigations will also target individuals and garage owners involved in making such modifications. 

Police said those aiding and abetting motorcyclists in altering vehicles will face arrest.

The directive comes after incidents during the Vesak festival where groups of young motorcyclists were seen violating road rules and causing severe inconvenience to the public. 

DIG Senadheera said strict enforcement will be carried out during Poson to ensure public safety and order. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Railways has announced that special train services will operate from today in view of Poson Poya.

Accordingly, 20 special train services will operate from Colombo-Fort to Anuradhapura.

Meanwhile, another 36 special train services will operate from Anuradhapura to Mihintale. 

The Railway Department states that the special Poson Poya train services will operate from 09 -11 June. 

According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the trains from Anuradhapura to Mihintale will operate free of charge for pilgrims. 

As such, the first special train from Anuradhapura to Mihintale will commence its journey at 12.30 pm today. (Newswire)

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Chief Incumbent of the ancient Mihintale Temple, Venerable Walawahengunaweve Dhammarathana Thera has slammed the government for failing to offer support for the annual Mihintale Poson festival.

Following the official launch of the Poson activities at the Mihintale Temple in Anuradhapura over the weekend, in an emotional speech, Ven. Dhammarathana Thera stated that the government had not extended its support due to a personal issue. 

“The government limited our power supply for the festival. They gave us Rs. 3 million, but I returned it and was able to collect Rs. 10 million with the support of the public which was utilised to hold the Mihintale Posson festival,” he stated.

Alleging that the government had failed to support the Poson festival due to a personal dispute, Ven. Dhammarathana Thera called on the public to be aware that the authorities will only assist activities and persons related to religious affairs to cement and hold on to power. 

Ven. Dhammarathana Thera added that the actions of the government were not only an act of vengeance against the Mihintale Temple authorities but the general public as well. (NewsWire)

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The Government today refuted allegations made by various parties about the lack of funding for the Anuradhapura Poson Program. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), two Ministries and one Department have already granted Rs. 28.8 million for this purpose.

The highest allocation by the Ministry of Buddhasasana for the Poson Mihintale Perahera was made this year.

This was also the highest allocation to be made for the Poson Mihintale Perahera since 2019, the PMD added. (NewsWire)

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