Reinstate zoo DG

All Ceylon Zoological Gardens Employees Union and Zoolical Gardens Podu Sevaka Sangamaya and the Veterinarian Association of Dehiwala zoo staged a protest calling for reinstating National Zoological Gardens Director General Shermila Rajapaksa who stepped away from duties recently. Some trade unions at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Ridigama Safari Park also joined their colleagues and staged simultaneous protests placing similar demand.

Hospital for Airmen

A foundation stone was laid by Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) for the construction of a hospital for the Sri Lanka Air force. The event held at the Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Invoke blessings on the Nation

More than 1,000 Buddhist monks, drawn from all corners of the country, including the Maha Nayaka and Anunayaka Theras at the invitation of the Defence Ministry gathered at the BMICH premises last evening (26).

India’s 73rd Republic Day celebrations

Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka celebrated India’s 73rd Republic Day in Colombo yesterday. It was on 26 January 1950 that the world’s largest written constitution came into force.

Waiting for their medicines...

People are seen gathered in front of the Rajya Osu Sala (SPC) near Town Hall for their medicine requirements. The patients who were channeled by the general hospital doctors are sent to the Osu Sala to buy the required medicines. Today, a group of health workers, including 16 health unions, held a one-day strike based on several demands. The six-hour strike began at 7.00 am. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Tourists flock Arugambay beach

Many local and foreign tourists are seen flocking the Arugambay beach with the decline of Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Health Professionals in protest...

The Health Professionals’ Federation staged a protest in Colombo today over several demands including salary anomalies. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirsinghe

UNP rally at Galle Town

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday held a protest in the Galle Town with the partipation of Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and Chairman Vajira Abeywardene. The protesters marched towards the Galle bus stand and held a rally. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

iSmart classrooms for children

Colombo District parliamentarian Madura Vithanage to construct and donate 100 iSmart classrooms for 100 schools. The first phase of the project is to provide classrooms to three schools in the Kolonnawa electorate yesterday with smart TV and SLT Wi-Fi connectivity. The donation was made possible by his decentralized budget allocation. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Navy seize 300 kg of heroin

A boat carrying 300 kg of heroin was seized yesterday during a joint operation conducted by the State Intelligence and the Sri Lanka Navy in the southern seas. The arrests were made following a tip-off received by the Police Narcotics Bureau. Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna inspected the contraband of the seized narcotics. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Over to God...

Missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda’s wife, Sandya Eknaligoda, invoked the curse at the Maha Kali Amman Temple, Modara, on those who were responsible for the dissaperance of her husband. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

FSP vehicle procession in protest against Govt. moves

The Front Line Socialist Party (FSP) today staged a vehicle procession from Wellawatte to Galle, in protest against recent moves by the Government, which it claimed had increased the Cost of Living. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Getting ready for the next season

Farmers in Anamaduwa, Karuwalagaswewa, are seen repairing their paddy seed stocks to get ready for the next season. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Religious, spiritual activities at Ruwanweli Maha Seya

Devotees seen at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya (stupa) in Anuradhapura engaged in religious and spiritual observance. The Ruwanweli Maha Seya is one of the most sacred Buddhist religious places in Sri Lanka. Two quarts or one dona of the Buddha’s relics are enshrined in the stupa, making it the largest collection of his relics anywhere. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Inland Revenue Dept. employees protest

Employees of the Inland Revenue Department yesterday staged a protest over several demands, including the reduction of powers that the department currently has. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Opposition leader gets consumer report on LPG explosions

The All Ceylon Consumers Union recently presented its report on the recent LPG explosions to the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa The report also had the details of the victims of the recent gas explosions. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Demanding allowance

The senior citizens in the age group of 60 -70 who are still working in the Textile Industry Department, today staged a protest march from Colombo Fort to the Department demanding their monthly allowance to be paid on the 10th of every month. The payment of allowance has been approved by the cabinet of ministers to be paid for them for lifetime. However, the officers concerned are not bothered to look into their plight.

Inland Revenue Dept. employees protest

Employees of the Inland Revenue Department today staged a protest over several demands, including the reduction of powers that the department currently has. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

First-ever drone show attracts large crowds

The first-ever drone light show in Sri Lanka illuminated the Colombo night sky with over 150 drones over the weekend, at Galle Face Green. The drone show was launched by Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, and attended by State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development D.V. Chanaka. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

’Dog show’

The ’Dog show’ organized by the Ceylon Kennel Club was held today at the Excel World Entertainment Park where dogs of different breeds were present. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

’New Wings’ stage protest...

’New Wings’, a youth organization, yesterday staged a protest in front of the Town Hall, Colombo insisting the Government to mete out justice for victims of Easter Sunday attacks by revealing the truth behind the carnage. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Champions..!

Sri Lanka seal the series with a comfortable 184-run win over Zimbabwe in the final ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy yesterday

Demanding solutions…

A group of employees indulging chefs of hotels organized a demonstration outside the Labour Secretariat citing that they have lost their jobs due to pandemic situation. Pix by Warnua Wanniarachchi

Grade 5 Scholarship students get spiritual strength

Ven. Morawatte Subodhi Thero offers blessings to the grade 5 Scholarship students of Reggie Ranatunga Vidyalaya, Minuwangoda. Principal Thushari Priyadarshani presided the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Well wishes for tomorrow’s Scholarship exam

Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardane yesterday visited several schools in the Colombo district to convey his wishes to the Grade 5 students, who are sitting for their Scholarship Exam tomorrow. Picture shows the Minister seeing students of the M. D. H. Jayawardane Maha Vidyalaya in Kotte. The exam could not be conducted in 2021 due to the pandemics.

Priyantha Kumara’s family gets donation, salary from Pakistan

The donation of US$ 100,000 from the business community in Sialkot and payment of monthly salary of the late Priyantha Kumara to his widow and children were handed over today at the Pakistan High Commission this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sri Lanka’s first ever vegan recipe book launched

The launching of Sri Lanka’s first ever Vegan recipe book by the ’Dharma Voices for Animals’ organization was held on Thursday in Colombo. The first copy of the book was presented to the Chief Incumbent of the Peradeniya Sri Subodharama International Buddhist Centre Ven Wattegama Dhammawasa Thera by the Founder of the organization Mr. Bob Isaacson.

University students protest...

Students’ Union of the Sri Jayewardenepura University staged a protest at the Wijerama junction demanding the authorities to solve numerous issues, including opening universities for all students. Pix by Nisal Baduge

WNL Hokandara Complex receives award for cleaner production

Wijeya Newspapers Limited Hokandara Complex received the Platinum Award (Category of Printing and Packaging Industry Sector – Manufacturing Medium) in National Cleaner Production Awards 2021. Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera presented the award to WNL Chief Operations Officer and General Manager Janaka Rathnakumara at the Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla last night. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

JVP protest march in Colombo

A protest march organized by the JVP was held in Colombo yesterday where they insisted the Government not to betray ownership of electricity, ports and lands etc. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, other MPs and supporters were seen in the protest. Pix by Nisal Baduge