Srilanka

A meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and the Russian President Vladimir Putin was held last Saturday (15).The President has held this meeting on the sidelines of the 5th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Showers or thundershowers will occur in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Several spells of showers will occur in Hambanthota and Jaffna districts. Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Mullaitivu district after 2.00p.m. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

Our aim is to emulate the dignified royal tradition of the Lichchavi Kings, whereby people would meet peacefully, discuss issues peacefully and disperse peacefully, to ensure good governance and build a united and prosperous nation, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. The Premier was speaking after switching on illuminations at the second day of the Mihintale Aloka Pooja organized by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) for the 57th occasion at the Mihintale Meda Maluwa last evening.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe switched on illuminations at the second day of the Mihintale Aloka Pooja organized by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) for the 57th occassion at the Mihintale Meda Maluwa last evening. The three-day Aloka Pooja Pinkama to commemorate the advent of Arahant Mahinda Thera and the establishment of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka is held with the patronage of Mihintale Rajamaha Viharadhipathi Ven.Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera. Ministers Vajira Abeywardene, Ravi Karunanayake, P. Harrison, Chandrani Bandara and ANCL (Lake House) Chairman and Managing Director Krishantha Cooray and staff participated among others. An estimated half a million Buddhist devotees had visited Mihintale and Anuradhapura by noon yesterday, according to local authorities, who predicted the cumulative Poson festival attendance may reach close to a million pilgrims.