10 Facts You Should Know About Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, often called the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is a beautiful island nation that offers a rich blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are 10 fascinating facts about Sri Lanka that you should know about this tropical paradise: 1. A Land of Ancient History Sri Lanka boasts a history that dates back over 2,500 years. It has been home to some of the earliest advanced civilizations in Asia, including the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. These cities are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with ancient temples, stupas, and irrigation systems that reflect the country’s long-standing cultural legacy. 2. World’s Oldest Human-Planted Tree The Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is the oldest human-planted tree with a recorded history. It was planted in 288 BC and is a sapling from the sacred Bodhi tree in India, under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment to become the Buddha. It is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world. 3. Biodiversity Hotspot Despite its small size, Sri Lanka is recognized as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The island is home to 26 national parks, including Yala and Udawalawe, which are famous for their wildlife. You can spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and a wide variety of birds. Sri Lanka also has rich marine life, including blue whales, dolphins, and coral reefs. 4. Ceylon Tea Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea producers in the world, with its famous “Ceylon Tea” being internationally recognized for its quality and flavor. The hill country, particularly around Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, and Ella, is dotted with lush tea plantations that offer picturesque views and cool climates. 5. A Multicultural Nation Sri Lanka is a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and religions. The main ethnic groups are the Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims, and the dominant religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. This diversity is reflected in the country’s festivals, languages, and cuisine, making it a vibrant and colorful destination. 6. Home to Sigiriya – The Lion Rock Sigiriya, a massive rock fortress, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Sri Lanka. Built in the 5th century by King Kashyapa, it features a palace, beautiful frescoes, and an ancient irrigation system. Sigiriya is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” 7. Spices and Ayurveda Sri Lanka has been known for its spice trade for centuries. Cinnamon, in particular, originated in Sri Lanka and was highly sought after by traders from all over the world. The island also has a long tradition of Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient healing practice that is still widely used today for its holistic approach to health and wellness. 8. Cricket Fever Cricket is more than just a sport in Sri Lanka; it’s a national obsession. The country’s cricket team has made a name for itself on the international stage, winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996. The sport unites people from different backgrounds, and matches are celebrated with great enthusiasm. 9. Tropical Climate Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate with two monsoon seasons. The southwest monsoon affects the southern and western regions from May to September, while the northeast monsoon brings rain to the northern and eastern regions from December to February. Despite the rains, the island enjoys warm weather year-round, making it an ideal destination for beach lovers. 10. Famed for Stunning Beaches Sri Lanka’s coastline is renowned for its pristine beaches, from the golden sands of Bentota and Hikkaduwa to the surf-friendly shores of Arugam Bay. Whether you’re looking to relax by the water, explore coral reefs, or enjoy water sports, the island offers a beach experience for every traveler. Sri Lanka is a country that blends ancient heritage with natural beauty and a vibrant culture. Whether you’re drawn to its wildlife, historical sites, or tranquil beaches, there’s something for every traveler to discover in this tropical paradise.
Presidential Candidate list 2024
As the presidential election draws near, 40 candidates have officially submitted their deposits to the Election Commission, signaling their intent to run for the nation’s highest office. This diverse group of candidates comprises both independent contenders and representatives from a range of political parties. Here are the candidates who have submitted their deposits: 1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe – Running as an Independent. 2. Sarath Keerthiratne – Independent candidate 3. Oshala Herath – Representing the Abhinava Nivahal Peramuna 4. ASP Liyanage – From the Sri Lanka Labour Party. 5. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya. 6. PWSK Bandaranaike – Candidate for the National Development Front. 7. Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe – Representing the National Democratic Front. 8. KK Piyadasa – Independent candidate. 9. Siritunga Jayasuriya – United Socialist Party candidate. 10. Ajantha De Zoysa – From the Ruhunu Janatha Peramuna. 11. K. Ananda Kularatne – Independent candidate. 12. Sarath Manamendra – Nava Sihala Urumaya 13. Venerable Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero – Janasetha Peramuna 14. Venerable Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero – Independent candidate. 15. Siripala Amarasinghe – Independent candidate. 16. K. R. Krishan – Arunalu Janatha Peramuna 17. Sarath Fonseka – Independent candidate. 18. Anura Kumara Dissanayake – National People’s Power 19. P. Wijesiriwardena – Socialist Equality Party 20. Antony Victor Perera – Independent Candidate 21. A. Mohammed Ilyas – Independent Candidate 22. M. M. Pemasiri – Independent Candidate 23. Anura Sydney Jayaratne – Independent Candidate 24. D. M. Bandaranaike – Independent Candidate 25. Priyantha Pushpakumara Wickremesinghe – New Sama Samaja Party 26. M. Thilakarajah – Independent Candidate 27. J. D. K. Wickremeratne – Ape Jana Bala Party 28. Roshan Ranasinghe – Independent Candidate 29. Mahinda Devage – Sri Lanka Socialist Party 30. Prasanga Suranjiva Anoj De Silva – Democratic United National front 31. P. Ariyanethran – Independent Candidate 32. Mohammed Infaz – United Democratic Alliance 33. Dilith Jayaweera – Sri Lanka Communist Party 34. Nuwan Bopage – Socialist Peoples Forum 35. Namal Rajapaksha – Samabima Party 36. Chaminda Anurudhdha – Independent Candidate 37. Namal Rajapaksa – Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna 38. Janaka Ratnayake – Eksath Lanka Podujana Party 39. Lalith De Silva – United National freedom Front 40. Sarath Kumara Gunaratne – Independent Candidate
Imane Khelif Wins Gold
Imane Khelif won Olympic women’s boxing gold a year after being disqualified from the World Championships for reportedly failing a gender eligibility test. The Algerian beat Chinese world champion Yang Liu by unanimous decision to win the welterweight division. The Algerian, who had been at the centre of a gender dispute in one of the major talking points of the Olympics, never looked in any trouble as she enjoyed the backing of a rapturous Algerian crowd in the stands at Court Philippe-Chatrier. She been caught up in a gender debate after a 2023 decision by the now-banned International Boxing Association (IBA) resurfaced, which disqualified her for failing a gender eligibility test. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has rejected the results of the IBA-ordered tests as arbitrary and illegitimate, saying there was no reason to conduct them. (Image Courtesy -Fox news)
Sheikh Hasina – Last moment
Sheikh Hasina did not want to resign as Bangladesh Prime Minister and wanted security forces to intensify the crackdown on nationwide protests, but security bosses said the protests cannot be contained by force, according to a report in Prothom Alo newspaper. The report details what went down in the Prime Minister’s official residence before her last-minute escape in a military aircraft, shortly before hundreds of protesters stormed in and went on the rampage. According to the Prothom Alo report, the Awami League leader called the top officers of the security establishment and police force to her residence. The death count was rising, and some of her advisors had tried to talk her into transferring the power to the Army. But the 76-year-old five-time Prime Minister was adamant. She asked the forces to strengthen the curfew already in place. On the streets, however, the situation was changing fast. Despite the curfew, protesters had started gathering at various spots in Dhaka. At her meeting with the security bosses, she questioned why they had not been able to contain the protests. She pointed to visuals of protesters climbing atop police vehicles and asked why the forces were not cracking down harder. At one point, she reminded them that they had been elevated to these positions because she trusted them. During the meeting, Sheikh Hasina praised police’s response to the protests. But the police chief conveyed that the situation is such that police won’t be able to contain it for long. The security forces, the report says, tried to explain to her that more force is not the answer. But the veteran leader did not budge. Then the officers spoke to Sheikh Hasina’s sister Rehana in another room and urged her to convince the Prime Minister to step down. Rehana spoke to Hasina, but that did not help. At this point, Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy stepped in. Based in the US, Joy spoke to his mother and managed to convince her to resign. Speaking to NDTV, Joy yesterday said his mother did not want to leave Bangladesh. “She wanted to stay, she did not want to leave the country at all. But we kept insisting that it wasn’t safe for her. We were concerned for her physical safety first; so we persuaded her to leave,” he said. “I spoke to her this morning. The situation in Bangladesh, as you can see, is anarchy. She is in good spirits, but she is very disappointed. It’s very disheartening for her because it was her dream to turn Bangladesh into a developed country and she worked so hard for it over the last 15 years, keeping it safe from militants and as well as from terrorism and in spite of all of that this vocal minority, the opposition, the militants have now seized power,” he said. The crowd of protesters was swelling, and intelligence inputs said Ganabhaban — the Prime Minister’s official residence — may be stormed. Sheikh Hasina was given 45 minute to pack up. She wanted to record one last speech addressing the people of the country, but there was no time. Accompanied by sister Rehana, she left home. There was a short halt at Bangabhaban, the Bangladesh President’s official residence, where she completed the resignation formalities. Around 2.30 pm, the ousted leader took off in a military aircraft, bringing the curtain down on her 15-year uninterrupted term. Her ouster and flight also represents a massive shift in Bangladesh politics. Fifty years after her father and Bangladesh’s tallest leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman led the struggle for the country’s independence, Ms Hasina was forced to flee as protesters vandalised her father’s statues. The legacy of Mujibur Rahman, fondly known as Bangabandhu, is no longer a symbol of Bangladesh’s war of liberation. Instead, it represents her daughter’s politics that protesters claim focused on suppressing dissent. The protests in Bangladesh, which began last month, started as an agitation against a quota system under which 30 per cent of government jobs were reserved for family members of Muktijoddhas — those who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. The protesters said this system favours supporters of the ruling Awami League and wanted a merit-based system to replace it. As the protests grew, the Awami League dispensation tried to crush it with an iron fist. And then, a remark by Hasina sparked fury. “If not the grandchildren of the freedom fighters, then who will get quota benefits? The grandchildren of the ‘Razakars’?” she asked. A paramilitary force recruited by the Pakistan Army during the 1971 liberation war, Razakars carried out mass atrocities, including mass killings, rapes, and torture. Naturally, the remark touched a raw nerve. Reservation has been a burning issue in Bangladesh for years now. In 2018, an agitation on this issue forced the government to water down the reservation system and cancelled quotas for some positions. The latest unrest was sparked by a high court order that declared illegal the 2018 government circular cancelling 30 per cent quota for freedom fighters’ descendants in government jobs. This order was scrapped by the country’s Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ordered that 93 per cent of government jobs must be allocated on merit and the remaining be reserved for relatives of freedom fighters. But even the top court’s order could not pacify the protesters. Source: NDTV
What Happened to Sri Lanka-India Ferry Service ?
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation has announced the much-anticipated resumption of the passenger ferry service between Sri Lanka and India, another effort to increase connectivity between the two neighboring nations. The service, which had been suspended, is slated to recommence operations starting next week. KDS Ruwanchandra, the secretary of the ministry, confirmed that preparations are underway for a trial voyage to Nagapattinam in India.
Sri Lankas first news Anchor Sumana Nellampitiya Dies
The nation is in mourning following the passing of Ms. Sumana Nellampitiya, Sri Lanka’s first television news anchor and a revered figure in the field of journalism. Nellampitiya, who had been battling illness, passed away at the age of 80. Born on May 23, 1944, in Colombo, Nellampitiya‘s charisma and talent were evident from her school days. She pursued her education at Nugegoda Mixed School, Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda, and Gotami Balika Vidyalaya, which laid the foundation for her illustrious career. In November 1967, she took a significant step by joining the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, where her majestic voice began to resonate with the nation. Nellampitiya quickly became a trailblazer, marking her name among the few women in radio at the time. Her five-decade tenure in radio media was transformative, not just for herself but for the industry as a whole. She also played a pivotal role in revolutionizing visual media, becoming a household name as the country’s first female television news anchor. The programs by Nellampitiya, such as ‘Pibidena Ga’yaka Parapura,’ ‘Forens Vasana 7,’ and ‘Ovalteen Pana Podi,’ remain etched in the hearts of Sri Lankans. Her role extended beyond that of an announcer; she was a versatile force in both radio and television, adept in program production. Her contributions to promoting Sri Lankan culture internationally are particularly notable, as she conducted programs in the Sinhala language across the globe, enhancing Sri Lanka’s cultural footprint.
Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka announce a common candidate.
Former Member of Parliament P. Ariyanethran has been nominated as the Tamil Common Candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Sri Lanka. The announcement was made at an event in Jaffna. P. Ariyanethran is set to contest in this year’s presidential race, representing an alliance of seven Tamil political parties from the Northern and Eastern provinces, along with various civil organizations. The alliance backing Ariyanethran comprises prominent groups such as the TELO led by MP Selvam Adaikkalanathan, the PLOTE organization under MP Dharmalingam Siddharthan, and the Tamil Makkal Koottani steered by MP CV Wignesaran.
Who is Club Wasantha?
Rajapakshage Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Club wasantha or Karaoke Wasantha (Sinhala: සුරේන්ද්ර වසන්ත පෙරේරා) was a Sri Lankan Businessman Shot death by two Gun Men on 08-07-2024 at a Tattoo Shop on Athurugiriya. He was a well-known figure famous at Colombo on his social media. He owned several night clubs and karaoke clubs around Colombo. That is why he called Club Wasantha. He once said to a media that he started his Sunhill Business group when he was 17 years old. He started his first Hotel known as Sunhill Hotel on Nuwara Eliya.he told media “I opened my hotel with 20 rooms in Nuwara Eliya at the age of 20.At 17 I went to Japan on a scholarship to study Japanese language and hotel management and did various jobs. Today I owned several hotels on Kollupitiya,Katunayake,Negombo,Bolgoda and Pasikuda.Wasantha Expanded his Business’ to Dubai. Also, He planned to start an internal airline service. He was Arrested in 2013 for Obstructing some police officers while tavelling on a luxary vehicle.However,He was granted bail. Again, he gained attention from a video of him attending a party in Dubai with Makandure Madush who was famous as a drug lord.Wasantha mentioned that he was his friend. Wasantha was invited to an opening ceremony of a tattoo shop in Athurugiriya on 09-07-2024 and shot death by an armed gang. A revolver also found from his wife’s handbag when he was killed.
100 random and interesting facts
No matter how you are getting old. It is good to learn new interesting fun facts. It is very satisfying to know such things. It is good always to learn something new every day. Here we are going to present you 500 random and interesting facts all over the world. . The shortest complete sentence in the English language is “Go.”
CGTN documentary Taiwan Untangled: Unveiling the complexities and future path
CGTN collaborates with George Galloway, a member of the British Parliament and leader of the Workers Party of Britain, to produce the 21-minute documentary “Taiwan Untangled.” The multifaceted Taiwan issue is examined in depth in this insightful documentary, which looks at the country’s past, present, and prospects for the future. George Galloway, a Westerner, provides the documentary’s storyteller with a unique perspective. He insists without reservation that Taiwan’s legal status has never been in question. It is abundantly clear from recorded history that Taiwan has always been a part of China. ZhongXiangyu, an anti-imperialist rapper, shares Galloway’s sentiments in a parallel. He makes the observation that the majority of people in Taiwan believe they “have roots on the mainland” and “don’t really deny them.” The foundation of China-U.S. relations are the three joint communiques that state “there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China.” The United States, on the other hand, maintains strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan despite recognizing that there is only one China. Joseph Gerson, co-chair of the Committee for a SANE U.S.-China Policy, stated, “It repeats that it’s committed to one-China policy, but then undermines it in a number of ways.” Experts offered their perspectives on the true motivation behind the United States’ strategic ambiguity: The American real strategic objective was crystal clear: They want to stop China from becoming more integrated with the rest of the world. Victor Gao, vice president at the Center for China and Globalization (CCG), stated, “They do not want China to develop.” “It’s like asking siblings to fight with each other,” Gao used an analogy here. Furthermore, despite the fact that the majority of Europeans do not desire “de-coupling” or “de-risking” from China, let alone “a real war,” the United States is engaging its European allies in its confrontational strategy. The EU’s “Foreign Minister” Joseph Borrell’s comments about Taiwan’s “freedom of navigation,” Liz Truss’s controversial visit to Taiwan, her call for an American “Nuclear Umbrella” in the region, and Rishi Sunak’s description of China as “the greatest danger” all increase the likelihood of a nuclear conflict. A “porcupine” is replacing the “taiwan hedgehog.” As a result, people in Taiwan have good reasons to be concerned about the future. How would the mainland and the Taiwan region fare in the future? The spokesperson for the New Party, Wang Bingzhong, was of the opinion that the United States is “pushing Taiwan to challenge, to cross the red line of the one-China principle.” On the other hand, Wang Bingzhong was of the opinion that “China’s meteoric ascent on the global stage stands as its own formidable deterrent to such wayward ambitions.” The director of the Cross-Straits Ben Post, Chen Fuyu, urged Taiwanese residents to “grasp this historical opportunity” and achieve “effective development” as a result of China’s peaceful rise. In a similar vein, young people in Taiwan have a positive outlook on the future. Chen Chongzhen, a resident of Taipei, expressed optimism regarding “a more peaceful world environment” and envisioned a scenario in which “Taiwan can live peacefully with the mainland, even [move] towards reunification.” “I hope to see Taiwan not be used as a bargaining chip by foreign powers in their negotiations with Beijing, and I hope that the people here and on the mainland build more bridges and have more good-faith contact with one another,” Xiangyu added, expressing his sincere wish as well. Taiwan faces a decision as it considers its future: to either actively pursue peaceful reunification with the mainland or to be a merely manipulated “chess” piece. Chongzhen and Xiangyu’s optimistic perspectives shed light on the potential course of the future. However, it is essential to keep in mind that “it’s a tale between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan,” and external parties should refrain from interfering in this narrative regardless of how the future plays out. 官网链接：