PM at Embilipitiya

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in a ceremony held in Embilipitiya to distribute lands to the people in the area. Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Affairs Gayantha Karunatilleke, Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms Talatha Athukorala UNP MPs A. A. Wijetunga and Hesha Vithanage were also present. Pix by Prdeep Pathirana

International Healthcare Exhibition

The International Healthcare Exhibition, organized by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), with the support of the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, was launched yesterday at the BMICH, Colombo under the patronage of Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

Remember this?

The Photojournalists Association of Sri Lanka (PASL) launched its maiden exhibition ’Mass Media Photo Exhibition’ at the J. D. A. Perera Art Gallery at Horton Place yesterday. President Maithripala Sirisena, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and many other guests attended the event. Picture shows President Sirisena pointing towards a photo in which his predecessor, Mr. Rajapaksa was seen getting on to a political stage.

SLPP signs MoU with 10 political parties

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 10 political parties on the formation of a new political alliance.

New Home Affairs Ministry Complex declared open

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe declared opened the newly constructed Home Affairs Ministry Complex at Elavitigala Mawatha in Narahenpita yesterday. Ministers Vajira Abeywardena, P. Harrison, State Minister J.C. Alawathuwala and Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake were also present at the event.

Lasith bids farewell to his ODI career

Sri Lankan cricketer Lasith Malinga receives a farewell from his teammates after declaring his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket at the start of the first One Day International cricket match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

If I get a chance, I will show…

“If I get a chance, I will show them how to run a country,” is something Speaker Karu Jayasuriya seems to be remarking at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the 25th ’Jathika Virujana Sammana’ awards ceremony held yesterday at the BMICH.

Dr. Shafi granted bail

Kurunegala Hospital’s Dr. Mohamed Shafi Shihabdeen, who was arrested in May, was granted bail by the Kurunegala Magistrate this evening. Pix by Lahiru Harshana

Fuel removal completed

The removal of fuel from the cargo vessel ‘Sri Lanka Glory’, which was in distress off the Rumassala Coast due to gusty winds, has been completed, the Marine Environment Protection Authority said.

PM at ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe seen inspecting the ‘Enterprise Sri Lanka’ program which is designed to help the country’s SME sector yesterday. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera was also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Fruits & vegetable processing centre opened

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe opened the newly constructed fruits and vegetable processing centre in Nachiduwa, Anuradhapura yesterday. Ministers Daya Gamage, P. Harisan, Chandani Bandara and Ruwan Wijewardene also participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

No More Black July

A silent protest organised by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) was held in front of the Independence Square in Colombo yesterday under the theme of ’No More Black July’.

Susan George Pulimood Memorial Oration

The 29th Annual Susan George Pulimood Memorial Oration of Visakha Vidyalaya was held at the Jeremias Dias Hall of the school yesterday. The oration was delivered by Sri Lanka Law College Principal Indira Samarasinghe. The subject of the oration was ‘Child Rights in Sri Lanka – The Gap Between Theory and Practice.’

Engrossed in conversation

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen in a conversation with Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka during the opening of several development projects in Avissawella yesterday.

UFF protests against current Govt.

The Socialist People’s Front (UFF) staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station yesterday against the current government.

New S13, S11 train sets arrive from India

Another S13 Class power set unit and S11 diesel multiple-unit (DMU) engine were added to the railway’s train fleet today. The new train sets arrived at the Colombo Port from India. A total of six dual power-sets have been ordered from India. Four dual power-sets already arrived in the country.

Will continue efforts to create better society for children: President

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday assured that he will not bow down to any pressure and continue the efforts to create a better country for the children. He made these comments addressing a gathering at Reggie Ranatunga Vidyalaya in Minuwangoda.

Still confined to bed

Hettiarachige Jacintha, who has been confined to bed after sustaining injuries as a result of the April 21 explosion in Katuwapitiya Church, receives holy communion from Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Pics by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Landslide tragedy…

About 10 shops were destroyed in a landslide in Ginigatthena this morning where one person was killed. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Kothmale spills

Two spill gates of the Upper Kothmale were opened yesterday due to heavy rains. Pix by Gamini Bandara Illangatileke

PM at Shilpa Sena Exhibition

‘Shilpa Sena’, organized by the Ministry of Science Technology and Research to promote science and technology, was launched under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at BMICH today. Minister of Science Technology and Research Sujeewa Senasinghe was also present at the opening. The exhibition will be held until July 21.

Heavy Traffic in Maradana

Heavy traffic was reported near the Technical Junction in Maradana due to a protest launched by the members of the Peratugami Kamkaru Aragalaya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

J’pura university students in protest

Jayawardenapura University students carried a protest demanding their issues to be resolved as soon as possible. They started the protest from Visual and Performing Arts Faculty, and made their way on foot to the University Grants Commission.

Lunar eclipse

Sri Lankans were able to witness a rare lunar eclipse during the early hours of today. It was the last lunar eclipse this year, and the people of Sri Lanka will experience the next lunar eclipse of this nature on May 26, 2021. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Dry weather hits hard

Water level in the Moragahakanda reservoir has gone down considerably due to the prevailing dry weather which has adversely affected the livelihood of the people living in the area.

Relaxing...

Elephants are seen here preparing for the annual Esala Perahera of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Two wheels motor racing at Mirigama

A two wheels motor racing event organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Drivers and Riders in collaboration with the Two Wheels Motors Racing Club and Negombo Racing Association was held at the Mirigama racing track last Sunday. The motorcycle team of the Special Task Force (STF) also participated in the racing event for the first time. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Esala Poya day

Devotees are seen engaging in religious activities this morning at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo to mark the Esala Poya day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Seeking blessings on Esala Poya day

Today is Esala full moon Poya day, which is celebrated by Buddhists island wide. Esala Poya is significant to Buddhists as the day Buddha preached his first dhamma sermon, the ’Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta’. The picture shows devotees at the Kiri Vehera at Kataragama taking part in religious observances. Pix by Nisal Baduge

PM in Jaffna

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today participated in the prize giving and the 125th anniversary celebrations of Skandavarodaya College in Chunnakam. State Minister of Education Vijeyakala Maheswaran, TNA MPs Tharamalingam Sidtharththan, E. Saravanapavan and Mawai Senathirajah were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana