COVID Treatment Centre in Gampola

The Gampola Youth Corps Centre was converted to a COVID Treatment facility through the intervention of Irrigation Development related to Rural Paddy Fields State Minister Anuradha Jayaratne.

Inoculation of Sinopharm vaccine gets underway

Inoculation of the China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine got underway for the first time in Sri Lanka today. People in Jinthupitiya, Colombo are seen queuing to get the vaccine at the Jinthupitiya, District 02 MOH office. The vaccine had been given to 150 individuals in the area. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Cab lands on Police motorcycle in Ampara

Two police officers including the traffic OIC of the Ampara Police Station were injured after a vehicle driven by a drunk driver landed on top of a Police motorcycle in Ampara yesterday.

Welisara Economic Centre closed

The Dedicated Economic Centre in Welisara was closed for ten days from today after identifying 28 COVID-19 positive persons. The officials of the Wattala Health authority had advised to close the Economic Centre and to conduct another PCR tests on the tenth day. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Lessons learnt came handy....

After stringent action taken by the police yesterday to take those who did not wear face masks to quarantine centres, many people are seen here wearing face masks and buying them with a lot of concern. Shops too are seen covering their entrance with polythene curtains to prevent the virus getting in. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Largest COVID treatment hospital inaugurated

The largest COVID treatment hospital in the country was opened in Seeduwa yesterday by the Army Commander, Gen. Shavendra Silva. The hospital has a capacity of treating 1,200 patients. (Army Media)

Wear your face masks...or face this

The Wella Veediya (Sea Shore) police division in Colombo today arrested 51 people who were not wearing face masks and ignoring the primary health guidelines. A special police team has been deployed to arrest those violators. The picture shows a man who does not wear a face mask is being carried by the cops quarantine centres. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

’Sputnik V’ gets off the ground

The first phase of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine inoculation began at Gothatuwa for Colombo district residents aged between 30 and 60 years. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

’’Vishva Agamika Horawa’’

’’Vishva Agamika Horawa’’ a religious programme organised to invoke blessings and speedy recovery to those who were infected with the coronavirus will be held at all temples and other religious places tomorrow at 5.46 pm. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Pamunuwa road closed after swelling COVID infections

Having recorded more than 40 COVID positive cases from the Pamunuwa area in Maharagama, the Medical Health Officer of the area has isolated the Pamunuwa Grama Niladhari division. Accordingly, the road leading to Pamunuwa Church and to the Sri Jayewardenapura hospital is shut. Pix by Nisal Baduge

PCR tests done at Hiripitiya temple

PCR tests are being done at the Hiripitiya temple in Kottawa by health officials after records showed several people were infected with COVID virus in the Kottawa area. Pix by Nisal Baduge

PCR tests at Sugathadasa Stadium

PCR tests were carried out near the Sugathadasa Outdoor Stadium, Colombo by health officials. People are seen cooperating with health officials. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Health workers jabbed!

The programme to administer the second dose of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccination was given to the Health Workers of the Municipal Council yesterday at the Campbell Park Ground. Pic by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

President attends Parliament sitting

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament today. He was accorded a warm welcome by the Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando along with State Ministers Kanaka Herath and D. V. Chanaka at the main Parliament entrance.

Mission to Dartmoor

US Marines have been pictured practising manoeuvres on Dartmoor after arriving from a warship anchored off the coast of Ireland. (Daily Mail)

Less crowded...

Very few people are seen on the roads in Piliyandala and Panadura town areas as certain Grama Niladhari divisions in those areas have been isolated. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sputnik-V vaccine consignment arrives in SL

A consignment of 15,000 Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccines arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning. (Pix by T.K.G. Kapila)

Sudeva Hettiarachchi, Kingsley Ratnayake assume duties

Veteran journalists Sudeva Hettiarachchi and Kingsley Ratnayake, who has been appointed as the Director-General of Presidential Media, assumed duties this morning at the President’s media premises. Pix by President’s media unit

Tree planting programme in Fort & Pettah

A tree-planting programme was launched yesterday by the Pettah police in a bid to make Fort and Pettah a green city under the patronage of SSP Nishantha Chandrasekara, in charge of Colombo Central area. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

130th remembrance of A.E. Gunasinghe

The 130th remembrance of the man who pioneered the labour movement in Sri Lanka, A.E. Gunasinghe was held near the statue of the late Gunasinghe in Pettah today.Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Less crowds in Colombo

Several areas in Colombo city including Pettah and Fort, which are busy areas on normal days, looked less crowded yesterday probably yesterday being the May Day holiday and owing to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country. Pix by Samantha Perera

A worker pulling a hand-cart laden with goods

Ahead of May Day, a masked worker pulls a hand-cart laden with goods. May Day activities are marred by the pandemic. It seems there is no respite for these workers toiling daily.

Justice for Rishad Bathiudeen...

A protest was held in Colombo today urging the authorities to mete out justice for Rishad Bathiudeen. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman was also present at the protest.

Flooded...

Ela Iwura village at Buthgamuwa road in Rajagiriya was flooded due to heavy rains this morning. About 42 affected families were taken to a safe location. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

’’Haritha Saviya’’ empowers to bring life back to nature

The Global Lifestyle Lanka as part of their social responsibility commitments recently held events of tree planting in several areas of Thimbirigasyaaya and Colombo Municipal Council Jurisdiction under the theme “Haritha Saviya”.

Ruwan visits Chief Sanghanayake Theras

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene called on the Chief Sanghanayaka for Japan and South East Asia Ven. Pelpola Vipassi Thera and Ulapane Sumangala Thera in Colombo yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Tense situation at State Engineering Corporation office

A tense situation was reported at the State Engineering Corporation office today after its Chairman was held hostage in his office by employees over salary issue

Long queues for PCR test

Emergency PCR tests were conducted at the Dedicated Economic Centre at Welisara yesterday considering the prevailing pandemic situation at Dambulla and Thambuththegama. The vendors were seen in long queues to undergo PCR tests. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Customs seize Rs.21mn worth illegal imports

Officers of the Customs Revenue Supervision Division seized more than Rs.9 million worth of cosmetics and women’s and children’s footwear to the value of Rs.12 million while attempting to smuggle into the country.

Chinese Defence Minister calls on President

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.