Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts today (13), the Department of Meteorology says.  

The department noted that showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.  

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, North-westernand Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district, it added. 

Thus, the general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has announced that it will conduct awareness programs and carry out raids across Sri Lanka during the Vesak season to ensure fair pricing and protect consumers. The focus will be on monitoring vendors and products commonly associated with the Vesak celebrations, including Atapirikara, religious offerings, incense sticks, decorative items, and electric bulbs.

Special attention will be given to prevent overpricing and ensure that businesses comply with consumer protection regulations. The CAA will also implement a targeted program in the Nuwara Eliya District, aligning with the state Vesak celebrations in the area.

The authority aims to safeguard the public from unfair practices during the peak season of the religious festival, ensuring that all goods and services related to Vesak are sold at reasonable prices and meet the required quality standards.

Sri Lanka Police has announced the implementation of a special traffic plan in Colombo starting tomorrow (May 12), in conjunction with the 2025 Vesak Festival celebrations. The measures are aimed at managing increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic in and around the main Vesak zones and ensuring the safety of the public.

The Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone, organised by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, will be held from May 12 to 14, while the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone—jointly organised by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple and the Prime Minister’s Office—will run from May 12 to 16. Another Vesak zone will be hosted at Braybrooke Place from May 12 to 13.

According to a statement from the Police Media Division, the Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone will span a route beginning at Baseline Road near the Prison Junction, continuing through Borella Junction, D.S. Senanayake Junction, Kanatte Roundabout, and Bauddhaloka Mawatha, and concluding at the Bambalapitiya Junction.

The Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone will encompass the area from the Kompanya Veediya Police Roundabout to Kumaratunga Munidasa Mawatha, passing through Kompanya Veediya Junction, James Pieris Mawatha, Pittala Junction, and Flower Road up to the Prime Minister’s Office. Surrounding roads including Jinarthana Mawatha, Navam Mawatha, and Perahera Mawatha will also be part of the traffic-managed zone.

Due to the anticipated influx of visitors to Galle Face Green and the surrounding areas, a dedicated traffic plan will also be enforced in Colombo Fort, Port City, and Kollupitiya Junction. On May 12 and 13, traffic flow in these areas will be restricted to one-way routes from 7:00 p.m. onwards.

Access will be granted to residents and vehicles bound for hospitals or other institutions providing essential services. However, container trucks and tipper lorries will not be permitted entry into the designated Vesak zones during this period.

Once traffic congestion subsides, normal two-way traffic operations will resume. The Police also announced that heightened security measures will be in effect throughout the Vesak festival to safeguard devotees and facilitate the smooth conduct of events.

The Government, in collaboration with the Northern Provincial Council, has announced a comprehensive five-year development plan aimed at upgrading all regional hospitals in the districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Mannar, and Vavuniya. The initiative seeks to ensure that the rural population in the Northern Province gains access to high-quality and efficient healthcare services, according to Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Dr. Jayatissa made this announcement during an inspection tour of several hospitals in the Mannar District, including visits to the regional hospitals in Murunkan, Adampan, Vankalai, Nanattan and Silavathurai. At each hospital, he engaged directly with healthcare staff, inviting them to share concerns and propose solutions to existing challenges in service delivery.

Hospital personnel raised issues such as shortages of both material and human resources. In response, the Minister directed officials to formulate and implement short, medium, and long-term strategies to overcome these obstacles. It was also noted that both communicable and non-communicable diseases are on the rise in these regions.

Dr. Jayatissa emphasised the importance of expanding health education initiatives, advocating for nutritious and toxin-free diets, the implementation of standardised treatment protocols, and strengthening community-based healthcare interventions. He further instructed authorities to introduce targeted nutrition and awareness programmes for mothers, young children, and school-aged youth.

The Minister also reviewed the existing systems in place to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines across Northern Province hospitals. Stressing that every patient should receive comprehensive treatment and care, he underscored the principle that recovery and wellness are shared responsibilities across all tiers of the healthcare system, regardless of administrative boundaries between provincial and central management.

Highlighting the strength of Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system, Dr. Jayatissa noted that the government allocates significant funding annually to maintain health services that, in many respects, rival those of developed nations.

The Northern Province is currently served by a healthcare network that includes one teaching hospital, four district general hospitals, ten base hospitals, 55 divisional hospitals, 48 regional hospitals, and 33 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices, catering to a population of approximately 1.2 million people.

The inspection tour also saw participation from Vavuniya District MP Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran, Northern Provincial Health Services Director Dr. Saman Pathirana, Mannar District Health Services Director Dr. Venodan Dharmarajan, as well as chief medical officers, administrators, specialists, nurses, allied health professionals, and hospital committee representatives.

World Bank (WB) Group President Ajay Banga concluded a successful official visit to Sri Lanka, marked by high-level engagements with top government leaders including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath.

During his meetings, Mr. Banga reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka’s development agenda, emphasising the institution’s role as a key partner in the nation’s journey towards economic and social recovery and advancement. His discussions with Minister Herath focused on strengthening collaboration in tackling Sri Lanka’s ongoing challenges and charting a course toward long-term prosperity.

Minister Herath expressed deep appreciation for the World Bank’s unwavering support through various stages of Sri Lanka’s development. “The Bank’s steadfast assistance has been instrumental in propelling our development efforts. Our discussions have further strengthened the alignment of our mutual goals for the future,” he stated.

Mr. Banga underscored that the World Bank remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s long-term development ambitions, pointing to key areas such as infrastructure improvement, climate resilience, and human capital development as priorities. He emphasised that sustained cooperation in these sectors would be essential for ensuring durable progress and inclusive growth for the country.

Joining the discussions were Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe, Ministry Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, World Bank Special Advisor Trevor Kincaid, WB Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka David Sislen, and other senior officials from both the World Bank and the Ministry.

The visit reinforced the strength of the Sri Lanka–World Bank partnership and signalled a renewed focus on collaborative strategies to address pressing national priorities while laying the groundwork for sustainable development.

The seventh edition of the Global Business Leadership Forum (GBLF) and Asian African Iconic Awards 2025 took place recently at Water’s Edge, bringing together a diverse assembly of visionaries, changemakers and global influencers from Asia and Africa. Held under the theme ‘Global Vision, Local Action’, the event aimed to foster meaningful dialogue, promote sustainable leadership, and recognise impactful contributions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

Addressing the gathering, Nobel Laureate and sustainability expert Mohan Munasinghe highlighted the urgent need for climate justice, emphasising that human activities over the past five decades have been the primary contributors to global warming. He noted that the burden of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation must be shared more equitably, with richer nations bearing greater responsibility due to their high per capita emissions and financial capacity. Munasinghe stressed that sustainability—founded on ethical values and efficient resource use—is essential for future growth and equity. “We must transcend stakeholder boundaries to build the sustainability implementation triangle,” he said, calling on businesses to embrace leadership and good governance in protecting the development space.

The forum attracted participation from over 25 countries, featuring more than 10 high-profile speakers, including ambassadors, diplomats and influential business leaders. Among the event’s key speakers was Dr. G.D. Singh, Founder and Chairman of the Asian African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) and CIAC Global. Dr. Singh spoke passionately about global cooperation and the role of ethical entrepreneurship in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future. He praised the efforts of passionate innovators and peace-builders and underlined the significance of the forum in promoting entrepreneurship, diplomacy, and sustainable growth.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of Passion Vista’s Women Leaders Special Edition, which honoured influential women leaders from around the world who have made notable contributions in various fields. The event also featured a Sustainable Development Fashion Parade curated by leading designers, creatively aligning fashion with the UN SDGs. The showcase emphasized ethical production, environmental awareness, and socially responsible innovation in the fashion industry.

The Asian African Iconic Awards segment celebrated outstanding individuals and institutions from education, healthcare, sustainability, diplomacy, and social entrepreneurship, who have demonstrated excellence and impact across borders.

The forum was jointly hosted by Unified Brainz Virtuoso Limited in collaboration with AACCI, CIAC Global and the World Peace and Diplomacy Organization (WPDO), reinforcing a shared commitment to global progress through collaboration, innovation and inclusive development.

The Presidential Secretariat has taken the lead in organising a series of events to mark the Vesak festival this year, aiming to bring together communities in celebration of the life and teachings of the Buddha. From May 12 to 16, a Bhakti Gee recital will be held in the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat, featuring performances by schoolchildren, members of the Tri-Forces and Civil Security Department, as well as well-known vocalists. This initiative is expected to attract large crowds and showcase a blend of tradition and artistic expression.

In addition to the musical performances, the Secretariat, in collaboration with the Armed Forces, has arranged for a rice dansal to operate on May 12 and 13, while refreshment stalls will serve the public from May 12 to 16. The area surrounding the Presidential Secretariat will be lit up with colourful decorations and Vesak lanterns, forming part of the broader Gangarama Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone and Buddhaloka Vesak Zone celebrations. The public is warmly invited to partake in the festivities and experience the spiritual ambiance of Vesak in the heart of the capital.

Meanwhile, a Vesak Pinkama is being held at Dakshinaramaya in Hokandara from May 4 to 14. Organised by the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Daham Pasala staff, students, and parents, along with members of the Vihara Dayaka Sabha, Dakshinarama Pirivena, and the Dakshinarama Aesthetic Committee, the event is conducted under the guidance of Ven. Dr. Maduruoya Dhammissara Nayaka Thera. Highlights of the Pinkama include an Ordination Ceremony, Buddha Pooja, Bodhi Pooja, Dhamma sermons and discussions, a Bhakti Gee recital, Sil observance campaigns, distribution of dry rations to the needy, and the display of a large Vesak lantern.

Another notable programme this Vesak season is the 25th annual Bodu Sadeha Gee, a travelling devotional music event initiated by the Panadura Media Cultural Foundation. Led by historian and journalist Nishantha Chaminda Peiris, this unique programme has brought newly composed Buddhist devotional songs to the public since 2001. Unlike other musical performances, Bodu Sadeha Gee features original compositions and melodies that focus on Dhamma communication rather than popular appeal. This year’s event will take place on May 13 and 14, from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, covering Panadura, Wadduwa, Bandaragama, and Moratuwa. The programme is known for its colourful, decorated truck that travels from village to village, bringing a deeply spiritual and communal atmosphere wherever it goes.

As Sri Lanka prepares to celebrate Vesak—the most sacred time in the Buddhist calendar—these programmes reflect a nationwide effort to honour the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of the Buddha with reverence, generosity, and cultural pride.