Weekly Pola In Sri Lanka according to the districts – ශ්රී ලංකාවේ සති පොල
“weekly pola” in Sri Lanka refers to a local, weekly farmers market, where people gather to buy fresh produce, spices, herbs, and other local goods, essentially a vibrant community market often considered the center of trade in rural villages; “pola” is the Sinhala word for market. You can click below districts to find the list of Weekly Pola or Sathi Pola. Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambantota, Jaffna, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kilinochchi, Kurunegala, Mannar, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Mullaitivu, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Vavuniya.
What’s driven the phenomenal performance in China’s film industry?
People are seen at a cinema in the Xicheng District of Beijing, capital of China, February 3, 2025. /Xinhua Editor’s note: Liu Chunsheng, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Beijing-based Central University of Finance and Economics. The article reflects the author’s opinion and not necessarily the views of CGTN. During the Spring Festival of 2025, the Chinese film market achieved historic results, breaking multiple records in box office revenue. So far in 2025, the total box office revenue of the Chinese film market has reached 10.5 billion yuan (about $1.46 billion), surpassing the North American market and ranking first in the world. This achievement is not only a milestone in the development of China’s film industry, but also marks the growing strength of China’s cultural industry. In recent years, the Chinese film market has shown explosive growth, with box office revenue exceeding 60 billion yuan in 2019. With the gradual improvement of the industry chain, continuous innovation in technology and the improvement of the audience’s consumption level, the Chinese film market has gradually shifted from a “chaser” to a “leader” in the global film industry. There are multiple factors behind this phenomenon. Firstly, the content creation of China’s domestic film industry is increasingly rich. In recent years, many excellent domestic films have been released, such as “Wolf Warrior II” to “Hi, Mom” to “The Wandering Earth II.” These films have achieved great box office results in the domestic market and also gained increasing recognition in the international market. Secondly, the continuous innovation of technological means, especially the application of IMAX, 3D and other technologies, has enabled Chinese films to reach world-leading levels in visual effects, providing audiences with a more immersive viewing experience. In addition, with the rise of online platforms, the integration of online movie watching and offline cinemas has also promoted the prosperity of the film market. The rise of China’s film market reflects the enhancement of Chinese cultural confidence. Among the numerous domestic films in 2025, “Ne Zha 2” is undoubtedly a landmark work. It is predicted that this film may set a new box office record in the history of Chinese film. This film not only continues the popularity of its predecessor, but also achieves breakthroughs in multiple dimensions such as creation, technology and cultural expression. Every fight and scene transition in the film has been carefully scheduled and designed to maximize the visual and emotional impact. The film has sparked widespread discussion and sharing, quickly setting off a “Ne Zha craze” on the Internet. This proves the strong influence of Chinese animated films in the Internet era and shows the successful exploration of digital communication and cross-platform operation in China’s film industry. The sales of peripheral products of the film have also been greatly improved, driving the development of the entire entertainment industry chain. People walk out of a movie screening room at a cinema in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, February 3, 2025. /Xinhua The success of the 2025 Spring Festival’s economic performance is not only reflected in its box office, but also creates a new benchmark for the economic value of China’s film industry. The film itself has become an important engine to promote the cultural tourism industry. The development of film-themed exhibitions, interactive experience zones and tourist attractions has further boosted the growth of the relevant regional economy. Moreover, the derivatives of movies have also become a new economic growth point. In particular, the classic scenes and characters in the film have become the source of cultural and creative products, providing fans and audiences with more diversified consumption choices. The deep integration of film with tourism and cultural industries can form a powerful industrial effect. In the future, cross-border cooperation in film and development of cultural products will become one of the important driving forces for the sustained growth of China’s cultural and entertainment industry. Although the Chinese film market has so far achieved historic results in 2025, this is not the end point and the future development is still full of challenges and opportunities. To achieve sustainable growth in the Chinese film market, it is necessary to focus on the originality and quality of content first. It’s also worth noting that China’s film industry should pay more attention to innovation from the perspective of cultural connotation and narrative depth and avoidance of the short-sighted behavior of “box office supremacy.” Furthermore, Chinese films should enhance international cooperation. In the process of “going global,” it’s necessary for the Chinese film industry to respect local culture and take into account the needs of the international market to create works with global appeal.
President Dissanayake Vows to Pursue Justice in Long-Standing Criminal Cases
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice in long-standing criminal cases. Speaking on Sirasa TV’s Satana program, he emphasized that his government would not allow past crimes to be forgotten with the passage of time. The President detailed the institutional framework in place for investigations, citing the Criminal Investigations Department, the Attorney General’s Department, and the judiciary. He revealed that approximately 650 key detectives had been transferred and faced travel restrictions during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure. His administration is now working to reinstate these investigators and bring in new officers, though he acknowledged this process has been time-consuming. Regarding specific cases, Dissanayake addressed several high-profile investigations, including the 2009 assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickremetunge. While acknowledging the challenges of investigating a 16-year-old murder, he assured the public that the case would remain active. The President also discussed obstacles in other prominent cases. In the Thajudeen murder investigation, a significant setback occurred with the death of the Chief Judicial Medical Officer, a key witness. The Poddala Jayantha case faces similar challenges, with crucial medical documentation having disappeared. Despite these difficulties, Dissanayake reported progress in the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks investigation and expressed optimism about impending legal action in the Keith Noyahr assault case. Regarding the Wasim Thajudeen investigation, he noted ongoing complications, stating, “We are at a point where statements need to be recorded from several naval officers. However, missing documentation has made it difficult to even identify these officers.”
Pioneering Women-Led Hotel Opens in Sri Lanka
In a historic first for South Asia’s hospitality sector, Sri Lanka celebrated the inauguration of “Amba Yaalu,” the region’s first entirely female-operated tourist hotel, on January 10th. The innovative property marks a significant milestone in the nation’s commitment to women’s empowerment in the tourism industry. Nestled within a picturesque mango plantation featuring 457 TJC mango trees, the resort offers breathtaking views of the Kandalama Reservoir. The concept draws inspiration from the beloved novel ‘Amba Yaluwo’ (Mango Friends) and pays homage to Sri Lanka’s golden age of cinema, creating a unique cultural experience for guests. Developed by “Thema Collection,” the hotel’s opening ceremony drew distinguished guests including diplomatic representatives, government officials, and leading figures from the tourism sector. In a particularly meaningful gesture that bridged tradition with progress, two female Buddhist monks blessed the establishment and its all-women staff through a traditional Pirith ceremony, underlining the deep cultural significance of this pioneering venture. The hotel’s distinctive design pays creative homage to its literary namesake, the iconic Sinhala novel ‘Amba Yaaluwo’ by B. Ilangaratne, while celebrating Sri Lanka’s rich cinematic heritage. A fully restored vintage movie theater serves as a centerpiece of the property, complete with carefully curated displays of classic film posters, promotional banners, and antique camera equipment. The restaurant embraces this theatrical theme, designed to evoke the ambiance of a retro cinema hall, offering guests an immersive journey into Sri Lanka’s cultural past while enjoying contemporary hospitality excellence.