News

Registration of dansals organised for the upcoming Vesak festival has been made mandatory, the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, has announced.

He said organisers can register their dansals through the nearest health office, allowing health authorities to issue the necessary guidelines to ensure safe food preparation for public consumption.

Dr. Gunawardena further noted that the registration programme for Vesak dansals commenced on May 4, as part of efforts to strengthen food safety measures during the festive season.

The minimum bus fare in Sri Lanka could increase to Rs. 40 following the upcoming annual revision in July, as continued weakening of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar may push transport costs higher, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has warned.

LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said that the annual bus fare revision is determined based on 12 key criteria, including the Colombo Consumer Price Index, the US dollar exchange rate, interest rates, and the price of buses.

He noted that ongoing currency depreciation could directly influence fare adjustments, cautioning that the situation is becoming increasingly critical for both bus operators and passengers as the review period approaches.

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando has informed Parliament that a total of 178,000 vehicles were imported into the country by the end of April this year.

The Deputy Minister stated that the figure includes motorcycles and three-wheelers, reflecting the overall volume of vehicle imports during the period.

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on vehicle imports, Dr. Fernando explained that a 50 percent surcharge on Customs duty had been imposed on vehicle imports for a three-month period.

He noted that the measure was introduced to limit imports in response to external economic conditions affecting the country.

The statement was made during proceedings in Parliament, where vehicle imports and related fiscal measures were under discussion.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has stressed that politics and development are deeply interconnected, stating that political decisions shape every choice made in governance.

She made the remarks while addressing the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex during her official visit to the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya and her delegation arrived at Heathrow Airport on May 18, marking the start of the official visit. The delegation was received by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Nimal Senadheera, alongside Special Representative to the UK Foreign Secretary and former British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Richard Wildash and other diplomatic officials, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Beginning her official engagements, the Prime Minister visited the University of Sussex in Brighton, where she was welcomed by Professor Anu Joshi, Professor Mick Moore and senior university representatives.

Addressing a public event, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reflected on the connection between politics, governance and development, drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent political and economic experiences. She highlighted the challenges of balancing governance, economic recovery, social protection and institutional reform while responding to public expectations and upholding democratic accountability.

The Prime Minister also underscored the government’s policy focus on recognizing paid and unpaid care work as a key part of the national economy, particularly emphasizing the contributions and challenges faced by women in the care sector.

During the visit, Prime Minister Amarasuriya is also expected to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by discussions with scholars and students.

She is also scheduled to meet senior representatives of the UK government, including Yvette Cooper, UK Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson, and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey during the visit.

The government has introduced a new circular aimed at regulating all programmes organised for the upcoming Vesak season, including Vesak zones and Dansals, with authorities moving to prohibit activities deemed inappropriate for the religious festival.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Department of Government Information, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said that events such as head-banging programmes and haunted houses will not be allowed during Vesak celebrations.

He further announced that organisers of Dansals have been instructed to use yellow flags instead of Buddhist flags, as part of the new regulatory framework.

According to the Minister, the programme will be implemented jointly by the All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya and relevant state institutions, with special guidelines issued covering Dansals, Vesak decorations, road safety, and public safety.

Authorities will also take steps to prevent inappropriate decorations and displays, while strengthening coordination with security forces throughout the Vesak period.

The State Vesak Festival will be held under the theme “Let’s rally together for the common good”, focusing on social responsibility through Amisa and Prathipatti Pooja programmes, he said.

The main festival is scheduled to commence on May 27 at the Midellawala Purana Viharaya, with the participation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A series of islandwide programmes will then continue across the Matara District for one week until June 2.

Chief Secretary of the All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya, Venerable Mugunuwela Anuruddha, said several religious and community development initiatives will also be carried out alongside this year’s Vesak celebrations, including the development of temples and monasteries in the Matara District.

He also noted that a delegation from Vietnam is expected to take part in this year’s Vesak festivities, adding an international dimension to the religious observances.

The ‘‘National War Heroes’ Commemoration Ceremony,’’ is scheduled to be held today (19) at the Parliamentary Grounds in front of the National War Hero’s Monument in Battaramulla, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.  

The police have announced a special traffic management plan to be implemented during the event.

Accordingly, vehicular traffic will be limited along Parliament Road from Polduwa (Diyatha Uyana) junction to Keangnam junction Battaramulla from 3.30 pm today till conclusion of the National War Heroes’ commemoration. 

Alternative routes:

• Vehicles exiting Colombo via the Parliamentary Road may proceed through Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, Palanthuna, and Keangnam Junction.    
• Vehicles entering Colombo from Keangnam Junction may travel via Palanthuna and Battaramulla.  
• Vehicles arriving from Rajamalwatta via Bodhiraja Mawatha may proceed to Battaramulla Road and continue along their required routes.

Parking arrangements for buses and trucks:

• From Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Road Junction to Kimbulāwala Junction.    
• From the Ceylon Electricity Board area along Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Road up to Pelawatta.

(Adaderana.lk)