The "Praja Shakthi – Gam Dahasaka Wada Dahasak" (A Thousand Projects in a Thousand Villages) program, implemented under the "Praja Shakthi" National Initiative aimed at eradicating multidimensional poverty among the rural population, begins today (02).

An allocation of Rs. 25,000 million has been set aside to implement identified projects under this program. As the initial phase, 1,000 projects are scheduled to be launched simultaneously across the island.

Key Launch Details

• Main Ceremony: Held at 9:00 AM in the Pinwala area of the Ambagaspitiya Grama Niladhari Division, within the Mahara Divisional Secretariat Division of the Gampaha District.

• Chief Guest: Dr. Upali Pannilage, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment.

• Island-wide Launch: Parallel district-level main programs will launch across the island, headed by the respective District Coordinating Committee Chairpersons.

Under the main program centered in the Gampaha District, the restoration of the Pinwala Amuna (anicut) and the construction of its retaining walls will be carried out. In addition, arrangements have been made to start at least 3 to 5 projects in every Divisional Secretariat Division.

Project Scope and Implementation

The Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment stated that the necessary funds have already been released to the districts. These funds will support projects identified by the Community Development Councils—which have been established in all Grama Niladhari Divisions under the ‘Praja Shakthi’ National Initiative—focusing on strengthening:

• The production economy

• Food security

• Livelihood development

The Ministry highlights that these projects will be implemented with the participation of Community Development Council members, government officials, and representatives of supporting agencies, marking a significant step toward the economic and social empowerment of the rural population.

The Vesak festival, which commemorates the three pivotal milestones in the life of Lord Buddha: his birth, his attainment of enlightenment, and his passing (Nirvana), is the most sacred celebration for Buddhists across the world. The people of Sri Lanka, heirs to a proud culture enriched by Buddhist heritage, join Buddhists worldwide in devoutly observing this noble occasion.

Buddhism is the greatest philosophical teaching to have conveyed to the entire world a timeless and practical message of peace. The entirety of the Dhamma preached by the Gautama Buddha is founded upon the Four Sublime Virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.

Furthermore, peace, coexistence and reconciliation constitute the supreme teachings expounded not only by the Buddha but also by all enlightened teachers. Buddhism teaches that, in order to establish peace in the external world, inner spiritual peace within the individual must first be secured. We must recognise that this inward and peaceful approach, as advocated by Buddhism in guiding society towards collective noble objectives, is more relevant today than ever before. I believe that this was also the message brought to Sri Lanka recently by the Vietnamese monk Venerable Pannakara Thero, who undertook a pilgrimage on foot across the country.

Moreover, the celebration of Vesak is not merely a religious observance, but also a magnificent cultural festival that has, for thousands of years, reflected Sri Lankan identity, solidarity and artistic creativity. It is indisputable that the programmes organised alongside Vesak celebrations, giving prominence to acts of religious observance such as almsgiving, the observance of sil, meditation and Dhamma sermons, as well as the devotional offerings and festivities including dansals, Buddhist devotional songs, beautifully crafted lanterns and splendid pandals, greatly contribute towards fostering mutual understanding, reconciliation and coexistence among communities.

Inviting all people to further embrace in their lives the values of Buddhism founded upon non-violence, compassion and boundless loving-kindness towards all living beings, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a blessed Vesak festival in which all hearts may find peace, comfort and serenity through the soothing grace of the Dhamma.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

President

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

30.05.2026

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued yesterday (28th), declaring several services as essential services. This extraordinary gazette has been issued by the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by virtue of the powers vested in him under Section 2 of the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979.

The Department of Government Information states that this includes all services related to the supply of electricity, fuel, petroleum products, gas supply or distribution, hospitals, dispensaries, passenger or goods transport, as well as state media, including the Government Press.

This order has declared the services mentioned in the schedule below as essential services, taking into account the post-disaster situation caused by Cyclone 'Ditwa', and considering that these services are essential to maintain normalcy in public life and that any disruption or hindrance could affect them.

By order of the President, this essential services gazette notification was issued last night (28th) under the signature of the Secretary to the President, Dr. N.S. Kumanayake.

The essential services are as follows:

1. All services connected with the supply of electricity.

2. The supply or distribution of fuel, including petroleum products and gas.

3. All services, work, or labour of any description necessary or required to be done in connection with the maintenance, reception, care, feeding, and treatment of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and other similar institutions.

4. Public transport services for passengers or goods.

5. Facilities and maintenance of transport services for roads, railways, or airways, and tourism services, including roads, bridges, culverts, airports, ports, and railway lines.

6. All services connected with water supply and drainage.

7. All services connected with the supply, preservation, and distribution of food and essential items.

8. All services, work, or labour of any nature necessary or required to be performed by field-level officers of all District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats, including all District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladharis, Samurdhi Development Officers, Agricultural Research Assistants, Community Empowerment Officers, and 'Clean Sri Lanka' core team officers.

9. Ambulance services.

10. All state banking and insurance services, including the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

11. Any function carried out by a local authority and all services performed by local authorities for water supply, electricity, drainage and sewerage systems, firefighting and ambulance services, scavenging and garbage disposal (including the removal and disposal of excreta).

12. All services connected with irrigation.

13. All services connected with telephone, telecommunications, and media.

14. All services connected with the reclamation and development of low-lying areas.

15. All services connected with agricultural and agricultural insurance services.

Commemorating the triple blessed events of the Buddha (Birth, Enlightenment, and Passing away), the 2026 State Vesak Festival will commence tomorrow (27th), centered around the Matara district. The main ceremony of the State Vesak Festival is scheduled to be held at the Midellawala Purana Viharaya.

Concurrent with the State Vesak Festival, which will be held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the period from May 27th to June 2nd has been declared as "Vesak Week."

A series of religious, social, and environmental programs have been planned throughout the island during Vesak Week. Accordingly, health programs will be conducted on May 28th, value promotion programs on the 29th, Sil and meditation programs on the 30th, training programs for Buddhist monks and Sil Mata (Buddhist nuns) on the 31st, spiritual development programs on June 1st, and environmental conservation programs in line with the "Clean Sri Lanka" initiative on June 2nd.

The Sri Lanka Police has announced that a special security plan will also be implemented island-wide for the safety of the public during this Vesak season. Security has been tightened as large crowds are expected to gather in areas where Vesak zones, pandols (thoran), and devotional song (Bhakthi Gee) performances are held.

Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who is currently attending the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO), met with Yohei Sasakawa, the Chairman of Japan's Nippon Foundation, for a special bilateral discussion. The meeting focused significantly on various ongoing projects funded by the Nippon Foundation in Sri Lanka, as well as hospital development initiatives.

The discussions also touched upon special projects aimed at contributing to the improvement of public health, education, and the welfare of the disabled community in Sri Lanka, alongside addressing rural poverty—a key priority on the country's development agenda.

A noteworthy aspect of this meeting was that Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, speaking in his capacity as the Chairperson of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Health Forum, placed a special emphasis on the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare services and methodologies implemented across leading countries in the region.

The Nippon Foundation is one of the world's leading private foundations based in Japan, dedicated to social welfare, global ocean conservation, and humanitarian aid. The foundation actively implements humanitarian and social welfare services, including the elimination of leprosy, supporting persons with disabilities, and driving global educational and agricultural projects.

The occasion was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Health and Media representing Sri Lanka at the 79th World Health Assembly, as well as representatives from the Nippon Foundation.

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Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, stated in Parliament recently (20th) that certain civil society and media organizations cannot survive without an oppressive and violent state. She noted that while these entities seemingly desire such a violent, rogue, and malicious state, no such environment will be created under the National People's Power (NPP) government.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that a free and peaceful environment has been established in the country today. She further pointed out that despite being fully aware of the government’s positive interventions regarding the media community and the Right to Information (RTI) Commission, certain organizations are deliberately attempting to propagate misconceptions within society.

Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne made these remarks while addressing the House during the parliamentary debate held on the 20th.

Further expressing her views, the Deputy Minister stated that a certain media organization had issued a press release distorting a statement she had previously made. She emphasized that this distortion was by no means accidental.

The final discussion regarding the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone was held yesterday (20th) at Temple Trees, chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Pradeep Saputanthri.

The discussion primarily focused on the organizational activities of the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone and energy consumption during the period the Vesak zone is held.

Key Highlights of the Discussion:

• Relaxation of Energy Restrictions: Attendees were briefed on the relaxation of government-imposed regulations on fuel and electricity usage specifically for the Vesak festival.

• Committee Coordination: Information was gathered from officials of the committees appointed to successfully organize and coordinate the activities of the Vesak zone.

• Focus on Spiritual Devotion (Prathipaththi Pooja): The Chief Incumbent of the Colombo Gangaramaya Temple, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, stated that due to the ongoing crisis, a decision was made to use fuel and electricity sparingly compared to previous years. Accordingly, arrangements have been made within the Buddha Rashmi Vesak Zone to illuminate the festive spirit while prioritizing Prathipaththi Pooja (spiritual devotion) with minimal fuel and electricity costs, comforting the minds of devotees through Aamisa Pooja (material offerings).

• Operating Hours: The Thero further mentioned that this year's Vesak zone is scheduled to be held from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM (midnight

A discussion was held yesterday (18th) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat between the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayaka, and representatives of the Bauddhaloka Vesak Committee.

Organized for the 25th consecutive year in view of this year's Vesak festival, the Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone is scheduled to be held from May 30th to June 1st, centered around Bauddhaloka Mawatha.

Under the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and through the intervention of the Presidential Secretariat, arrangements have been made to hold this event on a grand scale with the contribution of all public and private sector institutions. The preliminary preparations and the provision of facilities for the public were discussed at length during the meeting.

The Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Balthazaar, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, President of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress Chandra Nimal Wakishta, Vice President Roshan Maddumage, Treasurer Wasantha de Silva, along with officials from government institutions, senior officers of the security forces, and representatives of sponsoring companies were among those present at the occasion.

The State Vesak Festival for the Buddhist Era (B.E.) 2570, falling in the year 2026, will commence on May 27 at the Midellawela Purana Viharaya in Tihagoda, Matara, under the patronage of the President. This was stated by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.

The Minister made these remarks today (18) during a press conference held at the Department of Government Information to brief the media regarding the State Vesak Festival

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