The first group of 47 Sri Lankan pilgrims departed for Makkah on May 11 aboard an Air Arabia flight, marking the beginning of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage season for the country. A farewell ceremony was held at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), attended by several key officials including Saudi Ambassador Khalid Humoud Al Kahtani, Western Province Governor Haneef Yusoof, National Integration Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer, Director of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs M.S.M. Nawaz, Hajj Committee Chairman Reyaz Mihular, Chairman of the Hajj Tour Operators of Sri Lanka M.D.A. Careem, and President of the All Ceylon Haj Travel Operators Association Rizmi Reyal.

Speaking to the media, Saudi Ambassador Khalid bin Hamoud Al Kahtani expressed his pleasure in joining the pilgrims for their departure on this spiritually significant journey. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to serving the pilgrims, noting that under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom has mobilized every possible resource to ensure the comfort, safety, and wellbeing of the pilgrims throughout their stay. He further stated that all relevant Saudi agencies have completed preparations for the Hajj season, implementing a comprehensive system covering health, logistical, technological, and security services to guarantee a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience.

Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer extended his gratitude to the Government of Saudi Arabia for their continued cooperation and support in facilitating a successful Hajj pilgrimage. This year, a total of 3,500 pilgrims from Sri Lanka are scheduled to perform Hajj.

Hajj Committee Chairman Reyaz Mihular acknowledged the efforts of the committee, the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, and all stakeholders in ensuring that all Hajj-related arrangements were completed efficiently. He stated that visa processing was concluded well in advance except for a few technical delays. He also highlighted significant improvements in pilgrim facilities this year, including gypsum board tents with split air conditioning units in Mina, limited to 18 pilgrims per tent, the provision of sofa beds, and the allocation of a dedicated bus for each group of 45 pilgrims. He expressed confidence that these measures would contribute to a more pleasant and comfortable pilgrimage experience for all Sri Lankan participants.

The Government of Sri Lanka has announced that construction of the country’s first multimodal transport hub in Kandy is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed by 2027. The project, costing approximately Rs. 15 billion, marks a major advancement in the national transport infrastructure.

Key features of the transport hub include:

• Integration of bus and rail services.
• Direct access to the Kandy National Hospital.
• Facilities such as bus parking, a modern shopping complex, retail outlets, restaurants, banks, and more.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, during a site inspection, highlighted the scale and uniqueness of the project, stating that no other city in Sri Lanka currently has a transport terminal of this scope and modern design.

The development is funded through a World Bank long-term loan along with Sri Lankan Government contributions, and is a joint effort involving the Railways Department, Highways Ministry, and other relevant institutions.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast a slight increase in rainfall in the southwestern region of Sri Lanka beginning this evening (May 12).

According to the advisory:

• Several spells of rain are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Northwestern provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts.
• Showers or thundershowers may also develop in the Central, Uva, and Eastern provinces after 1:00 p.m..
• Moderately strong winds of 30–40 kmph are likely at times in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, and Southern provinces.

Residents are advised to take appropriate precautions, especially in areas prone to lightning, localized flooding, or falling branches.

Most appropriate to purify our minds on this day – Asgiriya Prelate

Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven.Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thera issuing a statement to mark the Vesak day said shaping lifestyles according to the teachings of the Buddha will help people to lead peaceful and prosperous lives.

“On the Vesak Poya Day, Sri Lankan Buddhists give priority to Prathipatti pooja (practicing principles) such as alms giving, religious practices, meditation, and other observances.

They also engage in Vesak decorations and other offerings. However, it is very important to celebrate the Vesak festival as devoted Buddhists by engaging mainly in Prathipatti Pooja.

“We have so far been slow to utilise the teachings of the Buddha to save the people of the world from the destructive wars of this era, when we must look thoughtfully not only at the country we live in, but also at the entire world.

“It would be most appropriate to purify our minds on this Vesak day and follow Buddha’s teachings and work towards true peace and contentment”.

Work with determination to remember the boundless qualities of Buddha – Malwatte Prelate

The noble teachings of the Buddha, which explains suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to the cessation of suffering are the only ways to show the correct path to society, which is afflicted by various vices and frustrations in the current volatile era, Chief Prelate of the Malwatte Chapter  Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayake Thera said in his Vesak Day message.

“On this auspicious day of the Vesak Full Moon Poya, the devout Buddhist public should work with determination to remember the boundless qualities of the Buddha, the embodiment of great wisdom and great compassion, and to set their minds on merit and strive for liberation from samsara.

“Therefore, striving to nourish oneself on the journey of life with the virtues of mindfulness, action, concentration, and wisdom is the highest respect that can be shown the Buddha.

On this auspicious day of Vesak Full Moon Poya, I would like to remind all Sri Lankans that it is important to be determined to achieve spiritual liberation by following Buddha’s teachings,” the Prelate said.

Inspired by Buddha’s teachings, we must strive to build a prosperous nation – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said we must strive to build a prosperous nation rooted in selflessness, equality and social justice, fulfilling the aspirations of our people for a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”

In his message to mark Vesak, the President said: The Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, which marks the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of the Lord Buddha, is a day of profound significance for Buddhists worldwide. It was on such a sacred Vesak Day that the Buddha, having fulfilled the Perfections (Paramitas), vanquished the forces of Mara, cultivated wisdom through the Middle Path, realised the Four Noble Truths and eradicated all defilements to attain Supreme Enlightenment (Samma Sambuddha).

Throughout countless lifetimes, the Buddha endured suffering, perfected virtues and ultimately discovered the Dhamma, a timeless truth for the spiritual well-being of all beings. His core teaching was not merely religious but a path to inner development, guiding humanity towards moral and intellectual growth.  The Buddhist philosophy also provides profound insights into good governance. As the Buddha taught:

“Sabbamra ahasukhaaseti – Rajacehotidhammiko” (The whole country thrives in happiness – if its ruler is righteous.)  This underscores that when a nation’s leader governs with justice and virtue, the people prosper in peace.

Inspired by the Buddha’s teachings, we must strive to build a prosperous nation rooted in selflessness, equality and social justice, fulfilling the aspirations of our people for a “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.” Let us unite with determination and diligence to achieve this noble vision.

“Moreover, the Buddha’s message of peace remains ever-relevant. In a world torn by conflict and division, we must embrace the Four Brahmaviharas, Loving-kindness (Metta), Compassion (Karuna), Altruistic Joy (Mudita) and Equanimity (Upekkha), to foster global harmony.

May this auspicious Vesak Festival illuminate all hearts with the light of Dhamma!”, the message said.

Citizens must unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said in her Vesak Day message called on all to unite in mind and spirit, bound  together by mutual respect and compassion.

The message said: It is an honour to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which the Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.

Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma.

In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions co-exist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.

This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current Government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.”

I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation.

Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.

“I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace,” Prime Minister Dr.Harini Amarasuriya said in her message.

Opportunity to reflect on the Noble path of Dhamma – Opposition Leader

The sacred Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, which commemorates the triple events of the Buddha’s life, is an opportunity to reflect once again on the Noble path of Dhamma that Buddha revealed to the world, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in his message to mark Vesak.

His message further said: “In the face of the many challenges we encounter, it is immensely important that we understand well the doctrine of cause and effect as taught in Buddhist philosophy.

Whether in addressing the issues facing our nation or the wider world, we often seek solutions by focusing on the outcomes rather than identifying and addressing the root causes that give rise to those problems. Lord Buddha’s teaching shows us that it is only by understanding the causes that we can find true and lasting solutions. This is why we must practically apply this profound Dhamma in our lives.

Sri Lanka, along with the rest of the world, is currently confronting not only an economic crisis but also serious challenges to peace. Within the Dhamma shown by the Buddha, there are clear and practical answers to overcome such difficulties. In state governance, noble principles such as the Ten Royal Virtues (Dasa Raja Dhamma) provide essential guidance. Likewise, Buddhist philosophy offers teachings that any religious person can embrace on how to build economic stability, unity, equality, and harmony amidst diversity. We must recognise that spiritual development alongside physical progress is a fundamental necessity for a country’s true development. This must become a central focus in governance.

The most priceless gift we can offer to the world is the pure Theravada Dhamma. We must firmly understand our unwavering duty to expand opportunities for its dissemination, to nourish the Maha Sangha with wisdom, and to ensure the preservation and continuity of the monastic order.

More than 2,500 years after the Buddha’s Parinirvana, Buddhists across the world continue to commemorate Vesak because they have realised the unparalleled excellence of his Dhamma. At the moment of his passing, the Buddha clearly instructed that after him, the Dhamma should be held as the supreme teacher.

On this Vesak day, our solemn determination should be to uphold this noble vision, entrusting the Dhamma as our guide and committing ourselves to building a better world. Such commitment will open a path to a world filled with loving-kindness and free of hatred”.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Health authorities in Sri Lanka are raising the alarm over a significant spike in dengue infections, with over 19,000 cases recorded in the first four and a half months of 2025.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has warned that unless immediate preventative measures are taken, the country could face a wider public health crisis in the coming months.

The latest figures show a steady month-on-month increase, with January seeing 4,936 infections, followed by 3,665 in February.

March registered a similar figure at 3,770, but the number jumped considerably in April, reaching 5,175. By the 10th of May alone, 1,669 new cases had already been reported, indicating the likelihood of another surge if the current trend continues.

Ten districts have been identified as high-risk zones due to persistently high case numbers. These include urban and semi-urban areas such as Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara in the Western Province, alongside districts from other parts of the island including Ratnapura, Kandy, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Matale, Galle, and Matara.

These regions are now under intensified surveillance and targeted vector control operations.

Officials from the NDCU attribute the rise in cases to a combination of prolonged rainy weather, inadequate waste disposal, and public complacency in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.

With the Aedes aegypti mosquito—responsible for transmitting the dengue virus—thriving in stagnant water, authorities are urging citizens to be vigilant in maintaining clean surroundings, particularly during the monsoon season.

Health experts have reiterated that dengue is not simply a seasonal nuisance but a recurring public health threat that can become deadly if left unaddressed.

They have appealed to the public to take basic but critical actions, such as regularly emptying water containers, cleaning gutters, covering water storage tanks, and disposing of old tyres and bottles that collect rainwater.

Meanwhile, local government bodies are ramping up awareness campaigns and inspection drives in both residential and commercial areas.

Mobile medical units and emergency response teams are also being prepared in high-incidence regions to respond swiftly to potential outbreaks.

Medical professionals are advising individuals showing early symptoms of dengue—such as high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and skin rashes—to seek medical attention promptly.

Delays in treatment, particularly in cases that progress to dengue haemorrhagic fever, can be fatal.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic bus accident that took place in the early hours of Saturday (11) in the Gerandi Ella area of Kotmale, which resulted in the deaths of at least 21 passengers and left over 35 others injured.

The vehicle, travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya, reportedly plunged into a deep precipice along the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road, in what authorities are calling one of the deadliest road accidents in recent years.

In a statement issued by the President’s Media Division, the Head of State extended his condolences to the bereaved families and instructed both the security forces and health sector personnel to ensure that all necessary medical facilities be mobilised without delay.

Hospitals in the surrounding regions have been directed to prioritise emergency care for the injured.

President Dissanayake also acknowledged the alarming frequency of road accidents across the country, describing the current trend as a serious national concern that requires urgent intervention.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety, not only through stricter enforcement of existing laws but also through initiatives aimed at reshaping public attitudes towards responsible driving.

As part of this broader agenda, the President indicated that the government will roll out a new road safety initiative under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. While specific details have yet to be released, officials close to the administration suggest the project will focus on both punitive and preventative measures, including education campaigns and enhanced traffic monitoring systems.

Initial investigations into Saturday’s crash are still ongoing, but police have stated that the bus appears to have veered off the road before tumbling down the steep hillside. The precise cause has not yet been officially determined, though early reports point to the possibility of driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or excessive speed as potential factors.

Emergency response teams, including police, military personnel, and ambulance services, were deployed swiftly to the scene and worked under challenging conditions to retrieve the injured and deceased. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation, with rescue operations extending into the afternoon.

With the number of casualties mounting and public concern deepening, the tragedy has reignited calls for a more systematic overhaul of Sri Lanka’s road safety protocols.

Road traffic incidents remain one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths in the country, with rural roads such as those in the Central Highlands being particularly prone to fatal accidents due to poor visibility, sharp bends, and inadequate safety infrastructure.

President Dissanayake’s remarks suggest that while long-term strategies are being formulated, the government also intends to take immediate steps to curtail further loss of life. Analysts say the effectiveness of these interventions will depend heavily on political will, institutional coordination, and community engagement—particularly in high-risk areas.