By Ashraff A.Samad

The Kuwait Government has gifted 25 tons of dates in view of the fasting period for the Ramadan Festival commencing next week. 

The Kuwaiti Embassy in Colombo yesterday (08 Feb) distributed dates to 16 Muslim Organizations under a special Ramadan programme. 

The dates are to be distributed through 16 Muslim charitable organizations registered in Kuwait and Sri Lanka.

The Kuwait donors visited Sri Lanka, meeting Dr. Mansoor Jabbar, Charge de affairs of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Sri Lanka. Acting Ambassador Abdullah Al Muhannaz presented the consignment of dates.  

This project was coordinated by the Al Hima organization Director, As-Shekh Noor Ullah Moulavi and Moulavi M. Ishaq. (Newswire)

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The state-owned supermarket chain, ‘Lanka Sathosa’ has announced a reduction in the prices of two essential items in view of the Ramadan festival.

Accordingly, the price reduction is effective from today, April 10, 2024.

Following are the essential items for which prices have been reduced;  

• Sprats (Bulk 1kg):

Reduced by – Rs. 125

New price – Rs. 1,200

• Wheat Flour (Bulk 1kg):

Reduced by – Rs. 07

New price – Rs. 185 (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police are to implement a special plan to provide security to mosques during the Ramadan festival, celebrated this week.

The special security plan implemented on the directive of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, will see the deployment of Police, Special Task Force, and tri-forces personnel. 

The special security plan has been prepared by meeting the Maulavis of all mosques belonging to each Police Division.

Among a total of 3,203 mosques in Sri Lanka, Police protection is to be provided for 2,453 mosques in which prayers are to be held for the Ramadan festival. 

Over 7,350 officers, including 5,580 Police personnel, 510 Police STF officers, and 1,260 tri-forces personnel, are to be deployed for this purpose. (Newswire)

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The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has presented a gift from the Custodian of the two holy mosques to Sri Lanka, which contains 50 tons of dates. 

According to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Khalid Hamoud Al-Kahtani officially handed over this shipment of dates to the Sri Lankan authorities during a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs today (Mar 06). 

The shipment of dates was handed over to the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Somarathna Vithanapatirana, and the Director, Department of the Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs under the Ministry Zain Al-Abidin Faisal in the presence of representatives of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the Sri Lankan Ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ameer Ajwad, and several officials from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government Departments, and Embassy officials.

The Saudi Ambassador praised the great humanitarian efforts undertaken by the King Salman Relief Center around the world, which reflect the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister to stand with brotherly and friendly countries and peoples in various circumstances and tribulations. 

Noting the strength of relations between the Kingdom and the friendly Republic of Sri Lanka, the Ambassador requested the potential beneficiaries of this gift to communicate with the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs swiftly to obtain the Kingdom’s gift to the Sri Lankan people and benefit from it, especially in the holy month of Ramadan.

For his part, the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, extended his sincere thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister for all the assistance provided to the Sri Lankan people. Pointing out that this is not surprising given the Kingdom of Humanity and its unlimited generous giving throughout all parts of the globe.

The Saudi Embassy said this gift comes within the programs offered by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and HRH Crown Prince to several brotherly and friendly countries to reach the most needy families in different regions of the world. (NewsWire)

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A government notification has been issued announcing the reduction in the special commodity levy for Dates, subject to conditions, in view of the upcoming Ramadan festival in Sri Lanka. 

According to the notification, the special commodity levy for Dates has been reduced from Rs. 200 per kilo to Rs. 1 per kilo effective from March 02 to April 11, 2024.

The reduction in the special commodity levy is only applicable for Dates received as donations or gifts on no foreign exchange basis from any foreign governments, or organizations, including business entities, volunteer associations and well-wishers. (NewsWire)

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The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a circular on providing the necessary arrangements for Muslim officers in view of the Ramadan festival observed from March to April this year. 

As per the circular, state entities have been instructed to make arrangements to enable Muslim officers to take part in prayers and religious activities from March 12 to April 11, 2024.

Special leave is to be approved only in the case of unavoidable circumstances. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka Police have issued a clarification with regard to the special security provided to Panadura and Akurana areas recently.

Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated that false information had been circulated on social media pertaining to security risks in Panadura targeting Islamic prayers.

Hence, the Police had taken immediate measures to provide special security to prevent any such incidents, he said.

SSP Thalduwa said, however, the Police emergency hotline had received a call warning of a possible explosion in the Akurana area targeting mosques.

While ascertaining the authenticity of the message, the Police took measures to provide special security to the said area in Akurana to prevent any such incidents, he added.

The Police spokesman further stated that together with the Alawathugoda Police Station and representatives of mosques in the area, special security was provided. 

SSP Thalduwa said, however, the specified date for the potential attack has passed and it has been proven that it was a false tip-off.

Investigations are underway to ascertain the person behind the false information, he said.

Police Spokesman SSP Thalduwa stated that special directives have been issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide necessary security in view of the Ramadan festival.  (NewsWire)

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Dozens of people were killed in a crowd surge in Yemen’s capital on Wednesday as needy residents in the war-torn nation flocked to receive charity handouts from local merchants during the holy month of Ramadan, officials have confirmed.

According to CNN, a video of the tragedy in Sanaa showed a chaotic scene with dozens of people packed tightly together, unable to move and shouting for help.

Those trapped formed a tangled wall of bodies with some desperately stretching out their arms for help. A couple of men who were freed could then be seen attempting to pull others out of the deadly crush. Images from the aftermath showed shoes and slippers heaped into piles as well as scarfs strewn on the floor.

“What happened tonight is a tragic and painful accident, as dozens of people were killed due to a large stampede of a number of citizens caused by a random distribution of sums of money by some merchants and without coordination with the Ministry of Interior,” the spokesman of the Houthi-run Ministry of Interior, Abdul-Khaleq al-Ajri, said in the statement.

At least 78 people were killed in the crush and dozens injured, Mutahar al-Marouni, the director of the Houthi-run Health office in Sanaa, told the Houthi-run Al-Masirah news agency.

According to Reuters, hundreds of people had crowded into a school to receive donations of 5,000 Yemeni Riyal (about $9).

The incident came just a few days ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During this time of the month, people start giving away Zakat al-Fitr, or the Zakat of Breaking the Fast of Ramadan, to people who are in need.

Naseh Shaker, a journalist who was at the scene, told CNN there was a “very long line of people” gathered at the entrance to the school, which was being used for distributing food and financial aid. They had begun queuing after sunset with the hopes of receiving the donation, he said.

When officials in charge of the distribution arrived and opened the door, “a lot of people rushed into the school.”

“This is a disaster to find people sacrificed their lives for just 10 dollars,” Shaker said. “People are very hungry people are very poor.”

Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene, according to the Interior Ministry statement.

“The dead and injured people were transferred to hospitals, and two merchants in charge of the matter were arrested,” the statement added.

The head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, Mahdi Al-Mashat, ordered an investigation into the incident on Thursday.

The Houthi-run General Authority for Zakat announced in a statement it would give one million Yemeni Riyal ( about $4,000) to each family of the crowd surge victims.

It also said it would take care of the treatment of those injured and pay 200,000 Yemeni Riyal (about $800) to each injured person. (CNN)

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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara decided to make the customary Ramadan donation for some of the survivors of the Earthquake who arrived in Ankara, this year.

The Embassy said in a statement that the devastating earthquakes on 6 February followed by over 6,000 aftershocks and flooding that occurred in the southeastern part of Turkiye, resulted in destroying over 50,000 lives and infrastructure spread over 10 provinces with over 110,000 sqm area. According to an offıcial estimate over 300,000 have migrated to Ankara, with most living in with relatives, friends and dormitories.

The Embassy stated that it decided to provide the donation boxes to people living in Alacaatlı Neighborhood of Cankaya District of the Ankara Province. The support for this group is extended by the local Neighborhood Muhtar who is the elected village head. Muhtars and their village councils are elected during local elections for five (05) years. Political parties are not permitted to nominate candidates for these posts.

The head of Muhtar, Hülya Erdoğan of Alacaatlı Neighborhood and her all-female volunteer team invited a group of survivors to gather at their office to receive the donation. The volunteer team along with Embassy staff and members of the Sri Lankan community distributed the donation boxes. The Ambassador also interacted with the group, who shared their horrific experiences, and how they are trying their best to be resilient.

The Ambassador also had discussions with Hülya Erdoğan and her team on their mandate which includes extending physical and mental support with counselling for survivors and funding. The Ambassador assured her support in their efforts.

The Embassy further stated that the Ambassador thanked the Embassy staff and some of the members of the Sri Lankan community who contributed to making the Ramadan donation packs and added that as the disaster occurred on the day that the formal reception of Sri Lanka’s 75th Anniversary of Independence was to take place, it was decided to add a special gift, in commemoration of the same. (NewsWire)

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