A special ceremony was held yesterday to bless and unveil the largest statue of Christ in Sri Lanka, under the patronage of Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

The 60‑foot‑high statue, constructed within the Supuwan Arana premises in Seeduwa, was simultaneously opened for public veneration. 

Made of white iron, the statue was blessed and formally unveiled by the Archbishop.

This remarkable creation was designed and built according to the artistic concept of Rev. Darrel, the administrator of Supuwan Arana.

The event drew wide participation, with Buddhist monks, priests, nuns, and a large number of devotees joining the ceremony. (Newswire)

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A giant statue of football superstar Lionel Messi erected in India to mark his visit last year is “swaying in the wind” and will be removed, a lawmaker told AFP on Wednesday (May 27).

Workers have scrambled up the 21m golden-coloured statue in the eastern city of Kolkata in West Bengal, throwing ropes around its shoulders to secure it.

The sculpture showing the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami star raising the World Cup trophy was unveiled during Messi’s “GOAT Tour of India” in December last year.

But West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee said it was no longer safe.

“The statue of the Argentine football legend in the city of Kolkata was found unsafe by engineers of the West Bengal government,” he said.

“We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.”

Workers on Wednesday used ropes to attempt to secure the statue, which looms over a busy road.

Mukherjee said it was not clear when it would be brought down.

“Removal has proved easier said than done,” he said. “We are planning to remove the statue at the earliest opportunity.”

He did not say whether the statue would be re-erected at another site.

Argentina is set to begin its World Cup campaign on Jun 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.

Messi has not formally confirmed his plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what would be a record-matching sixth appearance at the tournament.

He remains the side’s talisman for the defence of the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

India – a nation of 1.4 billion – is a cricket powerhouse, but struggles on the football pitch and is 142nd on the FIFA rankings.

Football, however, is the country’s second favourite sport, according to research by data company Nielsen released on Wednesday. (CNA/AFP)

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A statue of Cuban national hero José Martí was unveiled yesterday in the heart of Colombo, marking a symbolic moment in the city’s cultural landscape and reaffirming the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Cuba.

The monument, dedicated to Martí’s legacy as a poet, patriot, and advocate for freedom, was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar. 

The Mayor described the statue as a “symbol of unity, dignity, cultural connection, and the shared values between our two nations.”

José Martí was a Cuban nationalist, poet, philosopher, essayist, journalist, translator, professor, and publisher who is considered a Cuban national hero for his role in the liberation of his country from Spain. (Newswire)

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A miracle statue at the St. Sebastian’s National Shrine in Kandana has been reported stolen.

Issuing a statement, the church said the miracle statue had been stolen between 2.15 am and 3.00 am today. 

Per CCTV footage, an individual wearing a red cap, covering his face, in black clothing had stolen the statue. 

The church said the suspect had entered the shrine from the direction of the boys’ primary school and had exited the same way. 

The St. Sebastian’s National Shrine in Kandana, along with its priests and area residents, has sought public assistance to find the missing miracle statue. (Newswire)

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Two suspects who had stolen a statue from the St. Anthony’s Church in Moratumulla have been apprehended. 

The suspects had been apprehended in the Malwana area, while the car used to carry out the robbery has also been seized by the Police. 

Investigations have found CCTV footage of the suspects robbing a church in another area also using a car. (NewsWire)

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