Fmr UNP MPs launch programe to plant 1Bn trees

The ‘Maga Manawaka Parapura’, a green program designed by a group of former UNP MPs to plant one billion trees throughout the country by the year 2050, got underway at Medawachiya in Anuradhapura recently. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Devotees visit Anuradhapura

As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year dawns, many people seen visiting Anuradhapura to pay homage to the shrines. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Anointing of oil ceremony

The traditional anointing of oil ceremony in lieu of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year was held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Bellanvila Temple and Kelaniya Vidyalankara Pirivena with the participation of monks and few people at the temple. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

RTC Governor’s Cup 2021

Western Wind ridden by Jockey Vivek claimed a resounding victory in the EFL Governor’s Cup for Class 1 & 2 at the Royal Turf Club (RTC) organised RTC Governor’s Cup 2021 carried out at the picturesque Nuwara Eliya racecourse yesterday.​ Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Bustling Pettah is deserted

Pettah, which is usually a bustling town in Colombo was seen deserted on April 15, as most of its dwellers were confined to their homes enjoying Sinhala/Tamil New year holidays. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Leisure time during festive season

People were seen having a leisure time with their family members and friends at the Wellawatta beach in line with Sinhala Tamil New Year. The second picture shows people enjoying themselves at the ’Wasantha Udanaya’ festival held in Nuwara Eliya. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Ancient ritual at Maligawa

With the dawn of the New Year, the ancient ritual of boiling milk was performed at the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy last morning (14).

Crocodile and a shark face off in Australia’s Top End

Terrifying footage has captured a curious shark stalking a crocodile in crystal clear waters in Australia’s Top End.

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

Army Commander in Jaffna

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva met Tamil people during his visit to Jaffna. Pix by army.lk

Queuing to obtain Rs. 5000 allowance

People are seen queuing to obtain the Rs. 5000 allowance given by the government to low-income families in Keththarama Grama Niladari Division in Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Leaving for villages…

People are seen gathered at the Central Bus Stand in Colombo and the Fort Railway Station to leave for their villages in view of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Getting ready for New Year

People were seen shopping for clothes and other essentials in view of Sinhala-Hindu New Year. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Setting a new Asian record

Roshan Abeysundara, an airman from the Sri Lanka Air Force swam from Mannar to Danushkodi, India and returned to Mannar this morning (11) in 28 hours 19 minutes 43 seconds, setting a new Asian record.

Trade fair in Colombo

A trade fair organized by the Ministry of Mass Media and Information was launched on Thursday (08) in Colombo. The fair which includes different food items would be held until today.

Abolish micro-finance loans…

An organization called “Women’s Movement for freedom” staged a protest in Colombo urging the authorities to look into the issues faced by people due to loans obtained from micro-finance companies. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Stop poisoning our food!

The Socialist Youth Union (SYU) today staged a protest in front of the Sri Lanka Standard Institute (SLSI) urging the authorities to reveal the companies that sell substandard food. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Protest against assault on journalist

A protest was held in front of the Maradana police station today against the assault and detention of the freelance journalist. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s Spaceflight

Stamp and photo exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s Spaceflight and visit to Sri Lanka was held at the Russian house, Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Caroline gets bail

Reigning Mrs. World Caroline Jurie was seen leaving the Cinnamon Garden police after being released on police bail. She was arrested by the Police this afternoon over the incident which took place at the Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant on Sunday. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

3rd UN peacekeeping convoy company passed out

Twenty officers and 223 other ranks of the 3rd Combat Convoy Company of the Sri Lanka Army, who are getting ready to leave for UN Peacekeeping mission in Mali passed out today at the UN Peacekeeping Training school in Kukuleganga. Army Commander General Shavendra Silva participated as the chief guest of the parade. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Against decision on Ranjan’s parliamentary seat

The Opposition today protested in Parliament over the Speaker’s decision on Ranjan Ramanayake’s parliamentary seat. The Opposition MPs were seen wearing black bands.

Passing out Parade of Commandos

The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment training school yesterday held a passing out parade for those who completed the Hostage and Rescue and Preliminary courses. The passing out parade was held under the patronage of the Army Chief and Head of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19, General Shavendra Silva. The ceremony took place at the Commando Regiment Ganemulla. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH

The Colombo Shopping Festival kicks off yesterday at the BMICH focusing on the festive season. The shopping festival will be held for five days. Backward Rural Areas Development and Promotion of Domestic Animal Husbandary & Minor Economic Crop Cultivation State Minister S. Viyalanderan and Deputy Director General Medical Service Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva have inaugurated the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Floating Market to reopen tonight

The refurbished ’Floating Market’ in Pettah, Colombo will be opened to the public from this evening. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Plant distribution ceremony at WNL

The welfare Association of the Wijeya Newspapers Limited (WNL) today held a plant distribution ceremony in view of the ‘Husma Dena Thuru’ (Trees Giving Life) tree planting programme, aimed at planting 2 million saplings within the next 5 years. Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe inaugurated the event and distributed plants among the staffers. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Avurudu shopping gets hot...

As the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is drawing closer, people are seen shopping in Colombo city. Pictures show vendors have put up stalls in Pettah and the shoppers are gathered to do their purchase for the New Year. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pushpika re-crowned

Pushpika de Silva who was stripped off her crown of Mrs. Sri Lanka 2020, by reigning Mrs. World Caroline Jurie, at a beauty pageant held on Sunday, was re-crowned following a media briefing today. Pix by Kihsiri de Mel

Crude coconut oil containers re-freighted

Sri Lanka customs had re-freighted six containers of crude coconut oil imported by Katana Mills. The containers were kept under customs security until they were transferred to the SLPA Terminal this evening prior to re-freighting. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Mrs World Caroline at Police to give statement

Reigning Mrs World Caroline Jurie and National Director of Mrs Sri Lanka for Mrs World pageant, Chandimal Jayasinghe arrived at the Cinnamon Gardens Police a while ago to record a statement after dethroned Mrs Sri Lanka-elect Pushpika De Silva lodged a complaint with the Police yesterday over the incident on Sunday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana