News

From the 23rd to the 26th of November 2021, family and friends of the late Mangala Samaraweera will come together to mark the passage of three months since his untimely passing, in a series of private and public occasions for reflection.

Given that Mangala passed away tragically on the 24th of August, at a time when the country was in lockdown and observing stringent pandemic restrictions, it was not possible for all those who had walked with him at different times in his life’s journey, to pay their last respects.

"Those who still bear the scars of grief at his untimely passing, we know, are many. This was reflected in the outpouring of messages, articles, social media posts, sketches, drawings, and even music and poetry not just from all parts of Sri Lanka but from around the world.," the Samaraweera Foundation said in a release.

Accordingly, “Mathaka Mangala” will attempt to provide everyone who knew him in different capacities, an opportunity to come together to remember him and pay their respects.

“Mathaka Mangala” will begin with the traditional Buddhist custom of a sermon (bana), on Saturday 20th November, at the Matara Bodhiya, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. We welcome the participation of those who may wish to join.

Sermon by Venerable Galkande Dhammananda Thero

On Tuesday 23rd November, there will be a sermon (bana) in Colombo by Venerable Galkande Dhammananda Thero, Head of the Walpola Rahula Institute. The sermon which will begin at 7 p.m. (Sri Lanka time) will be livestreamed on Facebook and Youtube.

On Wednesday 24th November, Mangala’s family will offer alms (dhana) to Buddhist monks in his memory. This will be a private occasion of reflection.

On Thursday 25th November, Mangala’s ashes will be placed at ‘The Restpect’ Jayaratne Funeral Parlour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 08, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all those who wish to pay their respects to do so.

On the morning of Friday 26th November, Mangala’s ashes will be taken to Matara in a limited vehicle procession by his family and friends.

In Matara, the ashes will be placed at the Olanda Dutch Market Hall (Nupe), a community center which was restored under Mangala’s purview, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. for all those who wish to pay their last respects.

At 4 p.m., religious rites will be performed by members of the clergy representing Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian traditions before the ashes will be taken in a procession to the final resting place of Khema’s boy and beloved son of Matara and Sri Lanka to the Matara Cemetery for interment in the Samaraweera family grave.

All those who pay their respects to Mangala through their physical presence and participation are kindly urged to observe COVID safety precautions.

The Samaraweera Foundation further said that they intend to launch a website memorializing Mangala in the coming weeks and months that will contain details of his work and his dreams for Sri Lanka as a nation that is reconciled, peaceful, and prosperous where every individual is treated with dignity, adding that the Foundation looks forward to sharing information about future events and opportunities for like-minded individuals of all age groups to work together to fulfill Mangala’s progressive vision for Sri Lanka.

The death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka has surpassed the 14,000 mark on Monday.

The official death toll reached 14,016, after 21 more coronavirus related deaths for November 14 were confirmed by the Director General of Health Services.

The deaths confirmed today include 15 males and 06 females while four of the victims are between 30-59 years of age. The other are aged 60 and above.

Meanwhile the Health Ministry has reported another 512 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far today.

Another 728 persons tested positive for Covid-19 today (17), says the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 23 new coronavirus-related deaths for November 16, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus infection to 14,057.

The deaths confirmed today include 13 males and 10 females, according to the Department of Government Information.

Two of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years and the remaining 21 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

The Chinese Embassy says that Sri Lanka agreed to retest the rejected Chinese organic fertilizer via a third party, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka says.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong made these remarks after a meeting with Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratana Thera, Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter today (14).

Speaking further, the Ambassador stated that the issue is merely a commercial dispute, however some parties are attempting to politicize it.

News 1st

The retirement age extension of private sector employees to 60 years is now effective.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today (17) endorsed two bills relating to this extension.

The Minimum Retirement Age of Workers Bill and the Termination of Employment of Workmen (Special Provisions)(Amendment) Bill were debated and passed in parliament.

Army Troops were successful in rescuing a man who was stuck in the currents of the Kotmale Oya, Sri Lanka Army Spokesperson Brigadier Nilantha Premaratne said.

Accordingly, troops of the 5th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment of the 581 Brigade rescued a man who was fishing in the Kotmale Oya around 12 noon today (14), and who had been stuck in the currents of the Oya.

On the instructions of the Commanding Officer, 5 VIR, troops jumped into the waters using nylon ropes and rescued the sinking fisherman who had got stuck in swirling water currents before he was brought to the bank.

The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry says that another 528 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (November 16).

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 18 new coronavirus-related deaths for November 15, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus infection to 14,034.

The deaths confirmed today include 09 males and 09 females, according to the Department of Government Information.

Two of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years and the remaining 16 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

The Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 23 coronavirus related deaths for November 13, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 13,995.

According to the figures released by the Govt. Information Department, the deaths reported today includes 10 males and 13 female patients.

Six of the victims are between the ages of 30-59 years while the remaining 17 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

Health authorities have issued revised health guidelines to be followed by the public from 16 to 30 November.

The guidelines further prohibit public gatherings, meetings and events.

Certain other restrictions have been eased, according to the guidelines issued by Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena.

Accordingly, gyms can function at 50 percent capacity, while tuition classes are allowed with 50 percent of capacity only for GCE O/L and A/L classes.

The capacity at cinemas and theatres has been increased from 25 to 50 percent at a given time.

Also, preschools can function with full capacity.

Only individual worshiping is permitted at places of worship.

The revised guidelines are given below:

A total of 22 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (12) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,972.

According to the Government Information Department, 04 females and 18 males are among the deceased.

A total of 17 people who are above 60 years of age are among the deceased while 05 of them are between 30 and 59 years of age.

Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando left the Criminal Investigation Department this afternoon (15) after giving a statement for seven hours.

He is due to be present at the CID tomorrow to continue with the questioning by the police.

An investigation is under way into a complaint against Fr. Fernando lodged by director of the State Intelligence Major General Suresh Salley.

In his complaint, Sally has accused the priest of having leveled false accusations against him in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks in April 2019.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 23 new coronavirus-related deaths for November 11, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 13,950.

The deaths confirmed today include 11 males and 12 females. One of the victims is between the ages 30-59 years while another is aged below 30 years. The remaining 21 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported that another 532 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far today (November 12).