The ‘Ehipassiko’ Peace Walk, an international initiative led by the Most Venerable Pannakara Thero of Vietnam and the Maha Sangha to promote global peace, is scheduled to conclude today (28th). A key highlight of the final day will be the official presentation of a sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the visiting delegation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Itinerary and State Proceedings

Following the journey from Abeysekararamaya, Yakkala, to the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara yesterday (27th), the final phase of the pilgrimage is organized as follows:

• 11:00 AM: A special dialogue with school and university students will be held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.

• 4:00 PM: A formal State Ceremony will take place at Independence Square, presided over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During this event, the President will officially entrust the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi sapling to Ven. Pannakara Thero and the accompanying representatives.

• 5:30 PM: The march will resume from Independence Square.

• 7:00 PM: The pilgrimage will reach its final destination at the Gangaramaya Temple, marking the formal conclusion of the walk.

A Symbol of Unity and Devotion

The peace walk has been distinguished by its inclusive nature, drawing participation from various religious leaders and diverse ethnic communities, thereby sending a powerful message of religious coexistence and harmony to the world.

Public response throughout the route has been marked by deep devotion. Citizens were observed offering flowers and carpeting the path of the Maha Sangha with petals. Many individuals, including children and those with disabilities, gathered along the roadsides to seek spiritual blessings, which were graciously bestowed by the participating monks.

Collaborative Support

The successful execution of this program is supported by multiple state and national bodies, including:

• The Presidential Secretariat

• The "Clean Sri Lanka" initiative

• The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs

• The Ministry of Public Administration

• The Tri-Forces and the Sri Lanka Police

• The National Design Centre

The delegation of monks is scheduled to depart for the United States on the morning of May 1st, following the completion of their mission in Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has officially released a circular outlining the conduct of religious and commemorative programs across all educational institutions for the upcoming Vesak season.

Key Highlights of the Directive:

• Duration: The designated "Vesak Week" programs will run from May 26 to June 02, 2026.

• Coverage: Includes all Schools, National Colleges of Education (Vidya Peeta), Pirivenas, and Teacher Training Colleges.

• State Alignment: Programs are organized in parallel with the 2026 State Vesak Festival, scheduled for May 27 at the Midellawala Ancient Temple, Matara, under the auspices of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

• Implementation: The Ministry Secretary has shared a model plan and directed institutional heads to adapt and execute these programs appropriately

The official programme for the 2026 Vesak Festival has been announced by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has declared Vesak Week from May 27 to June 2.

The Ministry said that arrangements are being made to celebrate Vesak in a grand manner across the country. The programme will be carried out under the guidance of the All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, in collaboration with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Buddhist Affairs.

A group of Buddhist monks led by Venerable Pannakara Thero arrived in Sri Lanka this morning, marking the continuation of their “Walk for Peace” journey from Texas, United States.

The monks were received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Venerable Melpitiye Wimalakitti Thero along with several members of the Maha Sangha.

Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Presidential Secretary Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and Shevan Daniel of the Sirasa Media Network were also present to welcome the delegation

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.

During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.
We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.
Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.
In the face of the most significant recent natural disaster challenge encountered in the past year, we demonstrated to the world our resilience and capacity to withstand internal shocks. At the same time, in responding to the external challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has already set in motion a well-planned and effectively managed programme to overcome these difficulties.
As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.
As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to establish four high-level special committees and declare every Wednesday a public holiday to ensure the continuity of essential services and public life amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Speaking at a special media briefing at the Department of Government Information on Monday (16), Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi announced that these measures aim to proactively manage energy resources and maintain state services.

Strategic Oversight Committees

To streamline the national response, the government has appointed the following committees:

• State Services Committee: Chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, tasked with overseeing the overall functioning of the public sector.

• Energy Affairs Committee: Chaired by Minister Vijitha Herath, focused on managing fuel and power resources.

• Essential Goods Distribution Committee: Chaired by Minister Bimal Rathnayake, responsible for ensuring the steady supply of food and medicine.

• Social Welfare Committee: Chaired by Minister Upali Pannilage, focused on safeguarding vulnerable groups during the crisis.

New Working Arrangements and Suspensions

As part of an emergency energy-saving drive, the following changes have been implemented with immediate effect:

• Mid-Week Holiday: Every Wednesday is declared a public holiday for the state sector, including schools, universities, and the judiciary. Essential services—including health, ports, water supply, and customs—are exempt.

• Flexible Workweek: For the remaining four working days, heads of state institutions have been granted the authority to decide on the necessary staff required to report for duty.

• Event Suspension: All government-organized functions and ceremonies are suspended until further notice.

Mr. Chandrakeerthi reassured the public that the country currently maintains sufficient fuel reserves. However, these measures have been taken to mitigate potential future shocks caused by global supply chain disruptions. Further updates regarding school schedules are expected in the coming days.

Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi announced that every Wednesday will be declared a special government holiday until further notice in order to address potential fuel supply issues arising from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

He made this statement while participating in a special media briefing held at the Department of Government Information this afternoon (16).

He further stated that heads of state institutions have been given the authority to decide the number of employees required to report to work during the remaining four working days of the week.

Following a comprehensive, long-term consultation process, the Advanced Draft of the “National Media Policy of Sri Lanka” was officially presented yesterday (14) to the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and the Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, at the Ministry of Mass Media auditorium.

Prepared by an independent multi-stakeholder committee appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media, this policy framework was formulated with the contributions of hundreds of diverse stakeholders over a period of more than two years, from May 2023 to December 2025.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that the people’s struggle (Aragalaya) highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive policies across multiple sectors in Sri Lanka, and that the formulation of these policies is currently underway at the ministerial level. The Minister emphasized that this media policy does not merely belong to the Ministry; rather, the Ministry’s role was strictly to facilitate the process. He pointed out that the drafting of such a unanimously agreeable policy by an independent multi-stakeholder committee is a historic achievement. Furthermore, the Minister noted that the Ministry paid special attention to media freedom, the professionalism of journalists, and the impact of citizens throughout this process.
The Initial Draft (Zero Draft) of this policy was prepared and presented in July 2024 by an initial drafting committee comprising 23 members, which was appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media in 2023.
The process of preparing this advanced draft was further expanded by a multi-stakeholder committee of 28 members, reappointed by the current government in early 2025. As part of this, steps were taken to publish the initial draft in all three languages on the Ministry's website starting in June 2025 to gather public feedback. Moreover, public contribution was enhanced by gathering views from civil society representatives, journalists, and women activists. This was conducted across regions centering on Colombo, Kandy, Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Jaffna, in collaboration with the Ministry of Mass Media, South Asian Women in Media (SAWM), and the Free Media Movement (FMM).
The event was attended by government officials, including the Director General of Government Information, Mr. Harsha Bandara, and the Director (Development - Mass Media) of the Ministry of Mass Media, Mrs. Nelum Dilshari, alongside members of the expert committee that drafted the National Media Policy.

This year, the United Nations has declared the global theme for International Women’s Day as “Rights. Justice. Action. For all Women and Girls,” emphasizing the realization of rights, the delivery of justice, and meaningful action for all women and girls.

Women are the true pillar of Sri Lankan society and economy. The role they play within the family and in society has today become a decisive factor in shaping the future of our nation. Through the Government’s policy statement, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” we envision going beyond treating women as mere beneficiaries and recognizing them as active partners in national development, ensuring that they receive the dignity and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Within our policy framework, special focus has been placed on women. We are committed to recognizing the economic contribution extended by women as housewives, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and expanding access to the technical and financial support necessary for self-employment alongside strengthening the legal framework required to ensure women’s safety in public transport, workplaces, and within the family environment. Further, we are taking steps to create the environment to increase women’s representation in decision-making bodies at national and regional levels. Special attention is also being given to implementing targeted programmes aimed at improving women’s nutrition, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

Women are not a group seeking sympathy; they are vital social partners endowed with intelligence, resilience, and creativity. Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity

On this International Women’s Day, I sincerely hope that it marks the beginning of a new era in which the aspirations of all women in our country are realized as they shine before the world.

International Women’s Day has been celebrated annually across the world on 8 March for over a century.

In Sri Lanka, the role of women in the economic, political, social and cultural spheres is distinctive and significant. While this day serves to recognise and appreciate the immense responsibilities borne by women across all these sectors, and to reflect in particular on women’s rights, freedom and security, I believe that such recognition cannot be confined to a single day.

It is no secret that women, who represent 52 per cent of our country’s population, play a substantial role in the national economy. In addition to their unpaid contribution as homemakers, women make a considerable contribution to the garment industry, the plantation sector, foreign employment, as well as to the health, education and service sectors. I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the strength and commitment demonstrated by women, which contributed significantly to the many economic achievements our country attained in 2025.

In pursuit of social justice, we are already implementing plans to ensure gender equality and to enable women to participate more actively and productively in the economic process. As a Government, we have prioritised the structural changes necessary to secure and promote women’s rights and to act against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women, at home, in public transport, within communities, in the workplace and on the political stage, while striving to realise the aspirations of a just society, a free nation and a liberated woman.

Marking a new chapter in parliamentary history, this Parliament includes the highest number of female Members of Parliament to date. Furthermore, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, a female Member of Parliament representing the Malayagam community has been elected, an important and historic milestone. I wish to emphasise that it is both our responsibility and our resolve to nurture a strong and dignified generation of women who will stand shoulder to shoulder in advancing the programme of economic, political and social transformation we have initiated. Expanding women’s entrepreneurship within a digital and green economy, and fostering women entrepreneurs capable of adapting to the country’s forthcoming economic transformation, remains a key objective of our Government.

In this context, I greatly appreciate the organisation of this year’s Women’s Day under the theme, ‘In a Thriving Nation – She Leads with Determination’, which proudly showcases the strength and dignity of Sri Lankan women to the world.

As we move forward with firm determination to free our society and nation from all adverse challenges, and to build a progressive country and a future generation grounded in ethics and compassion, I extend my warm wishes for a meaningful International Women’s Day and invite all women to join hands as strong partners and pioneers in this journey.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

The contribution made by Victor Rathnayake to Sri Lanka’s musical landscape is immeasurable

A special ceremony honoring Victor Rathnayake was organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation under the title “Subhawita Githaye Situvarayano...Abhinandabhishekaya of Dr. Victor Rathnayake”. The event was held on February 24 under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the Kumaratunga Munidasa Auditorium of the Broadcasting Corporation.

The objective of the program was to honour the invaluable service rendered by Dr. Victor Rathnayake over more than six decades to Sri Lanka’s music sector and to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As a mark of appreciation, a portrait of Dr. Victor Rathnayake was also unveiled within the premises of the Broadcasting Corporation.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“I am an admirer of Dr. Victor Rathnayake. Therefore this very moment is special to me. I never imagined that I would one day have the opportunity to pay tribute to you so closely. This is a deeply joyful, and historic moment for me.

For more than sixty years, you have rendered a service to Sri Lanka’s music sphere that cannot be expressed in words. The first concert I watched during my childhood was your solo concert ’Sa’, which also holds the record as the most frequently staged solo musical concert in the country.

It was your songs that nurtured my love for the Sinhala language. Songs such as ’Kurullanta Gee Gayanna Obe Kata Handa Denna’ and ’Sangava Ganu Mena Sonduriya’ presented the aspect of love with subtlety and rare beauty. It is through these music that I have understood that music and the richness of language have the power to take us into a completely different world.

The concepts of harmony embedded within these songs are something we must speak about more. Through the musical composition and rendition of songs such as ’Oba Yana Gamane Mavatha Ahura’ created for the film ’Sarungale’, you naturally introduced us to the beauty of diverse cultures.

Truly, as a nation, we are extremely fortunate to have received a priceless treasure like you.

The Prime Minister further noted that the special moments of people’s lives in this country are closely intertwined with the creations of Victor Rathnayake.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya also extended her best wishes for good health and long life to Dr. Victor Rathnayake, who celebrated his 84th birthday on February 18. She expressed her gratitude to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation for organizing such an event and stated that, despite the many challenges faced by the institution amid growing competition in the media sector, she firmly believes the Corporation possesses the strength to overcome them and move forward.

The Prime Minister also specially appreciated the Broadcasting Corporation’s efforts to honor living legends of Sri Lanka’s arts and culture.

The event was attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senavi; Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne; Dr. Rathna Sri Wijesinghe; Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Senior Professor Uditha Gayashan Gunasekara; family members of Dr. Victor Rathnayake; his fans; and many other distinguished guests.