University of Sri Jayawardhanapura








The University of Sri Lanka Jayewardenapura as it is known today was founded fifty years ago (1959AD) by the name Vidyodaya at the premises of Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda which was considered to be a renowned and excellent center of Buddhist learning under the able leadership of the most distinguished Buddhist prelates such as Venerable Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero, Mahagoda Sri Gnaneswara Thero and Kahawe Sri Rathnasara Thero.
The Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara Pirivens were granted the status of universities on the 15th of December 1958 under the University Act no. 45. On the 18th of February 1959, the Vidyodaya University was inaugurated at the premises of vidyodaya pirivena by Sri oliver Goonethileke; then Governor of Ceylon. In 1961, the university was built on a plot of land in Gangodavila that belonged to  the  papiliyana sunethra Devi pirivena. The architect as well as the first Vice chancellor of the university was the eminent scholar Venerable waliwetiye Sri Soratha Thero.



Technical Details

  • Date of Issue-------------> 18th February, 2009
  • Denominations------------> Rs. 5.00
  • Format----------------> Horizontal
  • Stamp size---------------> 30 * 41 mm. 
  • Perforations-------------> 41 * 13/1/2 mm


Sri Lanka Oriental studies Society




The philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts will issue a new postage stamp in the denomination of Rs.4.50 on 24th July, 2002 to mark the centenary of the Sri Lanka Oriental studies Society.

The Sri Lanka oriental studies society was established on 24th July, 1902 under the distinguished patronage of Mr.E.M.Barose, who was the then Director of the Department of public Instructions.

The objective of forming the society was to bring the educational process of language studies implemented in pirivena education Institution, wich functioned as the historical institution of  national education in this country, onto one common Curriculum and to follow a systematic examination procedure and thereby lead to strengthening the process of oriental language studies through a legally empowered state institution empowered to award degree certification parallel in accreditation of the degree award by recognized universities.




Techinical Details


  • Date of Issue-----------> 24th July, 2002
  • Denomination-----------> Rs. 4.50
  • Designer-------------> pulasthi Ediriweera
  • Stamp Size------------> 41*30 mm.
  • Format---------------> Horizontal
  • Printing process-----------> Offset Lithography
  • Sheet Composition------------> 100 stamps per sheet
  • Perforations---------------> 14
  • Printer-----------------> Department of Government
  • Printing, Sri Lanka
  • Colours(used)------------> 4 Process colours
  • Paper----------------> 102gms.secutity stamp paper
  • Gum--------------> PV A
  • Quantity printed--------------> 1,000,000





Ven. Welitara Sri Ghanawimalatissa Maha Nayaka Thero







The philatelic Bureau of the Department of posts will issue anew postage stamp in the denomination of RS.5.00,on 05th May, 2009, to commemorate Ven. Welitara Sri Ghanawimalatissa Maha Nayaka Thero

In 1767 a meritorious baby sonnamed Amendias was born to a greats scholar of medicine,Carolis De Silva,Veda arachchi and to his wife Maclalena de silva,Lamatheni at Mahakarawa, welitata.

Those days abrother of vedaarachchi Mahatmaya’s lived at ambagahapiti viharaya, wich had been renowned as ambagahapitiya walawwa.High born child Amendias(Kuladaruwa) had been acquired both spiritual and educational knowledge under this Buddhist monk.

During this period, Bowala Dhammananda Maha Tero, tarryed at welitara Ambagahapitiya viharaya on his way from Malwatumaha viharaya,kandy to Mathara. On such a day the Thero saw this Kula Daruwa. Having pleased with his virtuous ,good qualities got permission from the parents to take him away to ordain in Kandy. This high born child was put under the custodianship of pindapathika Asarana Sarana saranankara sanga Raja.To train him bana daham wich need for his ordain. He  entered into the priesthood at  an auspicious time by the Rev.Sanga Raja.The Sangaraja and Bowala thero discussed about his illuminate scholar ship named Ghanawimala.



Technical Details

  • Date of Issue-------------> 15th May, 2009
  • Denominations------------> Rs. 5.00
  • Format----------------> Vertical
  • Stamp size---------------> 30 * 41 mm. 
  • Perforations-------------> 41 * 13/1/2 mm

14th Asian Athletic Championships 2002, Colombo


The concept of conducting an Asian Track and Field Championships was originally planned during the 1962 Asian Games through the initiative of the Chief of the Indonesian Federation.
The idea to hold the championships was revived by the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union at the 1966 Asian Games at Bangkok, which again did not materialize in totality.
A meeting of the Asian Athletic team officials was called at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. It was at this meeting that the Philippines Track and field Association took up the Challenge and history was made when the first Asian Track and Field Championship was launched at the Marikina Stadium near Manila in November 1973.
Since the 1st Asian Athletics Championship there were a total of 13 Championships. Sri Lanka had participated in 10 of the above Championships with the exception of three during 1973, 1981 and1983.
Sri Lanka won the first medal (Bronze) in the 4*400M at the 2nd Championships in Seoul (1975). After a long lapse of 16 years Bronze Medal was won at the 9th Championships (1991) Sri Lanka had a major leap at the Manila Games (1993) winning two Silver and two Bronze Medals and holding the 13th position in the Medal table.
The first Gold Medal for Sri Lanka was won in 1995 in Jakarta and Sri Lanka had the best Championship results with two Gold, one Silver and two Bronze Medals and securing 6th place in the Medal tally.
At the Asian Athletic Championships 2002 athletes compete for 43 Track & Field events. Out of these events 22 are for men and 21 are for women.
Asian Athletic Championships 2002 Colombo is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports of Sri Lanka and Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka. The conduct of the Championship is by the Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka under the authorization of Asian Amateur Athletic Association.
Rs.  4.50
The event of Discus Throw is depicted in this stamp. Out of throwing events, this is a very attractive event. This was an event Included in traditional Olympic Games.
Rs. 16.50
The starting position of short distance event is depicted in this stamp. Here an athlete takes first few steps to an angle for a forceful start. The athlete controls his hands and legs with correct techniques. Short distance event are very popular among athletes.
Rs. 23.00
Hurdler is depicted in this stamp. This event has become one of the fastest and most attractive events today, especially due to use of new techniques. This is an event which must be practiced with greater dedication.
Rs. 26.00
Long-jump event is depicted in this stamp. Along jumper balancing his body floats at the time of take-off. This also was a traditional Olympic event.

Technical Details


  • Date of Issue-----------> 08th August, 200
  • Denominations---------> Rs. 4.50, 16.50, 23.00 & 26.00
  • Format-----------------> Horizontal
  • Stamp------------------> size 41 * 30 mm.
  • Perforations------------> 14
  • Colours----------------> 4 Process Colours

Antonio


During the period of Dutch persecution Rev. Fr. Antonio who came from Kochin assigned to fulfill the spiritual needs and protect the faith of Catholics who lived in the area of Colombo. There was a disastrous sea erosin where the present St. Anthony’s Shrine is situated. Father Antonio placed his Cross on the sea shore and miraculously saved the area by his prayers. He lived among the miraculously saved the area by his prayers. He lived among the fishermen who were in that area where it was known as ‘Muhudu Bada Watte’. Father Antonio built a hut in the shape of a small boutique in the place where he placed his Cross and prayed. While he was living in it as a house of worship and dedicated it to his patron Saint, St. Anthony of Padua. This happened in the year of 1740.
Very much later in 1806, this small house of prayer converted into a bigger Church. In 1822 the Miraculous Statue of St. Anthony was bought from Goa, and enshrined on a special repository on which was the exact place where Father Antonio prayed placing his Cross and in that same place where his mortal remains, are buried.
Though the Shrine of St. Anthony, Kochchikade belongs to a long history of 270 years, the present magnificent Church had been consecrated and blessed in the year of 1834 after its completion.
By the year 2010 this Shrine completes the 175th year of its consecration. Some great significance with regard to this Shrine are that in 1893, the first Archbishop of Colombo,Archbishop Christopher Bonjean’s mortal remains had been buried on the right middle of the Sanctuary. The visitation of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Shrine in 1995. In 2010 the Holy Relics of St. Anthony of Padua was brought the Shrine from Padua.
This Church dedicated to St. Anthony at Kochchikade, Colombo had become a Shrine and a source of receiving Divine Grace for all people irrespective of casts and religion.

Technical Details

  • Date of Issue------------> 12th June, 2010
  • Denominations-----------> Rs. 5.00
  • Format-------------------> Vertical
  • Stamp size----------------> 30mm. * 41 mm.
  • Perforations---------------> 13 ½ * 14
  • Colours-------------------> 4 Process Colours

Children’s Day


20th of November is being celebrated as the International Children’s Day by the United Nations with a view of building a wonderful world for the future of the children all over the world. However, since the United Nations have given instructions to celebrate this day on an appropriate day. Sri Lanka for many decades is celebrating the International Children’s Day on 1st of October.
Accordingly the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs is making arrangements to celebrate this day under the theme “Give hand’s to enlighten Children”. Already instructions have been given to the Divisional Secretariats to conduct programmes under this theme at the Divisional Secretarial levels. It is most suitable to conduct programmes to show the values of our motherland. Further, if the children could know from childhood itself that our country is no second to any other country in the natural beauty and the scholars and it is their duty to safeguard the values of our country, will help to build a society with high human values. This time the International Children’s Day Programme will be conducted with the participation of children from all ethnic groups of Sri Lanka. It will also include medical & health clinics, cultural and religious functions and sports events.


Technical Details

  • Date of Issue---------------> 3rd October, 2010
  • Denominations--------------> Rs. 5.00
  • Format----------------------> Diamond
  • Stamp size-------------------> 40mm. * 40 mm.
  • Perforations------------------> 13
  • Colours--------------> 4 Process Colours

William de Silva


Peduru Hewage William de Silva represented the Ambalangoda-Balapitya Electorate from 1947-1960 and later the Devinuwara Electorate as a Member of Parliament. He was also Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada. As the Minister of Industries and Fisheries in 1956. Peduru Hewage William Ds Silva who was a friend and a comrade of the Father of Marxism in Sri Lanka. Philip Gunawardana introduced pro-people concepts into Industries and Fisheries spheres.
P. H. William de Silva was the only son of a wealthyprofessional family of Batapola, Ambalangoda. William studied at the Buddhist mixed school in Batapola, at St. John’s – Panadura, Richmond College – Galle and Ananda College Colombo from which he entered Ceylon University College. Just like Philip Gunawardana and N. M. Perera he left University College for higher studies abroad. In London, England William became a supporter of Sooriyamal Movement of the LSSP. He was elected President of Ceylon students Association in London. William graduated in Law and was called to the Bar in 1940. As Minister of Industries and Fisheries he advocated the promotion of Industries and Fisheries he advocated the promotion of private enterprise in Industry by providing infrastructure, financial credits and other incentives. He also sponsored a few basic industries under state ownership establishing a steel factory, a tire factory the second cement factory and a flour milling factory. Willam  de Silva also established the mineral sands and the National Textile Corporation. The first Industrial Estate in Sri Lanka at Ekala making available land, buildings, water, Roads and electricity was established by him, for the development of private enterprise catering to small and medium scale industries. In the fishing industry he introduced mechanized boats for deep sea fishing with the assistance of our boat builders in 1958.
He promoted Inland fisheries on a wide scale breeding “Thilapiya and Gouramis”. His tenure in office saw the beginnings of industrialization in Sri Lanka as well as the mechanization of the fishing industry. The achievement of “William the Silent” brought great pride to his native village of Batapola.
William de Silva belonged to a long line of Southerners who fought to free Sri Lanka from the path of D. M. R.ajapaksha the Lion of Ruhuna, his brother D. A. Rajapaksha and Dr. S. A. Wicramasinghe of Morwak Korale.
Finally in the words of his Excellency the president Mahinda Rajapaksha “There are only two kinds of people in this land those who love this country and those who don’t. Peduru Hewage William de Silva loved this country and would not and did not sacrifice its interest for Gold, Personal gain or Ambition however high the stakes were. His rightful place as a hero would always be enshrined in the History of Sri Lanka.

Technical Details

  • Date of Issue-----------> 15th December, 2009
  • Denominations----------> Rs. 10.00
  • Format-----------------> Vertical
  • Stamp size--------------> 30mm. * 41 mm.
  • Perforations------------->13 ½ * 14
  • Colours--------------> 4 Process Colours