Silent protest against independence celebrations

The Socialist Youth Student Front today staged a silent protest in view of the independence day celebration at the Polduwa Junction carrying black flags. Pixi Nimalsiri Edirisinghe..

Floral tributes for D.S. Senanayake

Late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, the Father of the Nation, was offered floral tributes at his statue at Independence Square today to mark the 75th Independence Day. Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha, Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and Former Minister Rukmal Senanayake paid floral tributes to the late Premier’s statue. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Security beefed up in Colombo

Security has been tightened up in Colombo city ahead of the Independence Day Celebrations where Police and tri-forces were deployed to provide special security. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mete out justice to Samantha…

A silent protest was organized by relative of Samantha Preethi Kumara, who died while in police custody, in front of the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court demanding justice for Samantha. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Patricia Scotland meets Leader of the House

The delegation led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC met with Education Minister and Leader of the House of Parliament Susil Premajayantha, yesterday (02) in Parliament. The delegation led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General was welcomed and received by the Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake.

Bangladesh and Nepal foreign ministers arrive

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen and the Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake yesterday evening. The two dignitaries have arrived in Sri Lanka to attend the 75th Independence Day celebration on Saturday (Feb 04).

Another protest against high CoL...

The Joint Trade Union Alliance yesterday engaged in a protest in front of the National Institute of Mental Health Hospital in Angoda, demanding the government take immediate action to bring down the skyrocketing cost of living. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

‘Mal Perahera’

A floral procession (Mal Perahera) was held this evening at the Ganagarama Temple in Colombo. Pix by Pix Nisal Baduge

Change unfair tax policies...

The People’s Movement for Fair Taxation held a protest in front of the Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Performance Theatre to urge the government to change its tax policies. They said people cannot bear the current tax rates. Pix by Nisal Baduge

57th Colombo Camporee...

The 57th Colombo Camporee got under way at Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, with the participation of Colombo District Schools. The event will come to an end on February 6. Pix By Nisal Baduge

Independence Talks!!!

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva and Army Commander Lt. General Vikum Liyanage seen having a friendly chat at the Independence Day rehearsals held at the Galle Face Green today. Sri Lankan Military personnel took part in the rehearsal for the Independence Day parade which will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Against deduction of salaries...

A demonstration was held in front of the Katunayake Airport arrivals terminal by various professionals of Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport and SriLankan Airlines over the deduction of their salaries due to taxes. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

Wasantha Mudalige released over three more cases

Convener of Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige was today released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilana Gamage in connection with three more cases. Pix by Jaymal Chandrasiri

Wasantha Mudalige freed

Convener of Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige was today released by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with a case filed for allegedly committing offenses under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Petroleum, Lubricating oil, Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory opened

The Science and Technology Business Center (S&T Business Centre), the Petroleum and Lubricating Oil Testing Laboratory, and the Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory were declared open today by Industries and Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana. The S&T Business Centre and Lubricant Testing Laboratory were established under the ITI. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Withdraw new income tax...

Several port trade unions today staged a protest march in Colombo against the new income taxes imposed by the government. The protest was organised during the lunch hour. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Petition demanding Wasantha Mudalige’s release

A petition was handed over to Attorney General’s Department demanding the release of Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Convener Wasantha Mudalige. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Independence Day parade rehearsals

The Security Forces and the Police staged rehearsals for the 75th Independence Day Parade at the Galle Face Green today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Journos commemorate ‘Black January’

Journalists and media activists gathered at the Viharamahadevi Park this evening to commemorate the slain and disappeared media personalities, during a ‘Black January’ remembrance programme organised by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA). Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

’’Kedella Construction Expo 2023’’

The exhibition ’’Kedella Construction Expo 2023’’ organized by Asia Exhibitions and Conventions (Pvt) Ltd was launched today and will be held until Sunday (29) from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Colombo. The exhibition will consist of approximately 200 stalls. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Tailoring national flags for Independence Day

A female tailor makes national flags for the upcoming Sri Lanka 75th National Independence Day at a small shop in Colombo on January 27, 2023. Sri Lanka will celebrate on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Withdraw unfair tax policy…

The Petroleum Trade Unions protested in front of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals LTD (CPSTL) in Kolonnawa demanding immediate withdrawal of the unfair tax policy. Pix by Nisal Baduge

CARAT 2023 concludes, strengthening maritime cooperation

The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) – 2023 bilateral exercise successfully concluded in Sri Lanka on 26th January 2023. Hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet in partnership with the Sri Lanka Navy, CARAT – 2023 Exercise was held in Colombo, Trincomalee and Mullikulam from 19th to 25th January.

CB Executives protest against tax hike, spiraling CoL

The Central Bank Executive Officers’ Association (CBEOA) today staged a protest in front of the Central Bank against increasing taxes unfairly and to bring down the high cost of living. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

India's 74th Republic Day celebrated

The 74th Republic Day of India was celebrated today at the residence of the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. Several cultural events took place during the celebration. The flag-hoisting ceremony was held at 8.30 am today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Against high cost of living

The Joint Trade Union Alliance today staged a protest in front of the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, demanding the government to take immediate action to bring down the high cost of living. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Central Bank employees protest...

A group of employees from the Central Bank temporarily quit work and engaged in a trade union action today, alleging that the pay-as-you-go tax has been increased unfairly. Employees attached to five trade unions of the Central Bank were off from their duties today from 9.00 am until afternoon, and gathered in a hall near the bank’s auditorium and engaged in trade union action. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Misty weather...

Misty weather is seen blanketing Padukka and Homagama this morning after 100mm of rain in the Western Province yesterday. Motorists on the Colombo- Avissawella road are inconvenienced by visibility issues caused by the prevailing misty conditions. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mr. & Ms. Twins Sri Lanka 2023

Sri Lanka Twins Organization (SLTO), which is the first and only organization for twins, will stage a Global Twins Day festival from July 24 to 31 with the participation of 4,000 twin and non-twin participants and foreign delegates. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Fuel bowser drifts away in Baththuluoya

The driver of a fuel bowser was rescued from the waters of Baththuluoya on the Chilaw-Puttalam Road after the vehicle crashed through the railing of a bridge and plunged into the water. The bowser had drifted about 100m in the Baththuluoya after the accident. Pix by Hiran Priyankara