International Industry Expo 2024

Sri Lanka showcases industries as the “International Industry Expo 2024”, was launched at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) today. The exhibition will continue till Sunday (23).The Expo is organized by the Industries Ministry and the Industrial Development Board (IDB) with the main objective of creating a platform to bring together industry related local & international stakeholders.

Britain’s top 25 most stunning views

One of the most famous spots in the Lake District has been crowned the UK’s most stunning view.

Putin meets Kim Jong-Un

Vladimir Putin beamed as he was greeted by Kim Jong-Un after touching town in North Korea early this morning.

UNP zonal leaders spring into action

President Ranil Wickremesinghe distributed letters of appointment to United National Party (UNP) zonal organizers at the party headquarters, Sirikotha, today (June 18). UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, Chairman Vajira Abeywardana and National Organiser Sagala Ratnayake were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Senior citizens demand...

The National Federation of Public Service Pensioners’ Association staged a protest at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla today, demanding a 15% senior citizens’ fixed deposit interest rate and at least 70% of the increased allowance provided to state employees.

Educating schoolchildren on road safety...

The annual art exhibition and drawing competition was held, targeting schools in the Northern Province, under the guidance of the National Transport Commission. The main event was held last Saturday (15) at the Jaffna Hindu College. The primary purpose of the art competition is to educate schoolchildren on road safety and improve their creative abilities in the Northern Province.

Fulfill our demands...

The University Trade Union Collective held a protest in front of the Finance Ministry today demanding the fulfillment of their employee salaries and the provision of the wages they are entitled to.

Responding with water...

Police fired water cannons to disperse protestors near the parliament entry road at Polduwa Junction a short while ago. The protest was organized by the Western Province Unemployed Graduates Union.

Give suitable salary to face tax burden...

The Sri Lanka Bank Employees Union (SLBEU) today staged a protest in front of the People’s Bank head office in Colombo, demanding that State Bank employees be given a salary commensurate with their tax burden.

Eid al-Adha...

The Colombo Lotus Tower illuminated in vibrant green and white this evening as the country celebrates the Eid al-Adha Hajj Festival.

Humanist without borders

A book about Anton Marcus, written by political columnist Kusal Perera, was launched today at the Foundation Institute. The book covers Anton Marcus’s 50-year career as a trade unionist. Several MPs from the government, the Opposition, and various political parties attended the event. Anton Marcus is the General Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union.

Poson perahera...

A Poson perahera organised by the Narangodapaluwa Primary College, Ragama paraded the streets from the school.

Celebrating Hajj...

Muslim devotees around the country gathered at the Galle Face Green this morning to engage in Eid Ul Adha prayers in celebration of Hajj. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Working for a living

As Father’s Day is celebrated today, many fathers continue to work hard to support their loved ones.

Hajj Shopping Festival 2024 opens

The Hajj Shopping Festival 2024 commenced yesterday at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC), featuring over 100 shopping stalls offering a wide range of products and services under one roof, accompanied by exciting discounts and offers. The festival will remain open to the public until 10 p.m. today.

Tikiri Menike derails

The ’Tikiri Menike’ train, which travels to Nanu Oya via Kandy from Colombo, was derailed between Talawakelle and Watagoda last night, crippling upcountry train services.

Visakha Walk 2024

Visakha Vidyalaya Old Girls’ Association held their ’Visakha Walk 2024’ in Colombo to mark the school’s completion of 100 years.

'Ceylon Women' to empower women

The press conference to shed light on a project to be launched by the Ceylon Women Organization on empowering women was held in Colombo today under the patronage of Education Minister, Susil Premajayantha. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Future Minds at BMICH

The Future Minds exhibition was launched today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), building on strong relationships with the Higher Education community. The exhibition aims to foster a highly productive exchange on all aspects of Higher Education in 2024. The education fair will run till June 16. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Postal union protests staff shortages

The United Postal Trade Union protested at the Central Post Exchange in Colombo on June 13, 2024, citing various grievances, notably the shortage of staff.

Wall fall halts trains...

A Maradana bound train from Panadura derailed near the Panadura railway station, disrupting services on the coastal line. One of the compartments struck a nearby signal post, completely disabling the signal system. An official stated that restoring the track will take considerable time, resulting in delays of trains operating on the coastal line.

Fumigation under way...

Due to the increase in mosquito breeding places following the recent inclement weather, the Kotikawatta-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha carried out fumigation to control dengue mosquito breeding. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

'No manpower!'

The Ports Trade Unions Collective staged a protest outside the Ports Authority premises in Colombo against the use of employees from manpower agencies and also in protest of the Eastern Container Terminal. Their protest slogan was ’’No man power - Let’s save the Eastern Container Terminal.’’ Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Selfie time...

The Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Union Alliance in the Colombo Educational Zone launched a token strike at Borella Junction today, demanding the government to rectify the remaining two-thirds of their salary anomaly and uphold the rights of children. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Creating life-like worker replacements

A factory in China is developing hyper-realistic humanoid robots that can chillingly mimic human facial expressions and emotions in scientists’ latest attempt to replace workers with machines. (Daily Mail)

Ananda Walk 2024...

Renowned past pupils of the Ananda College Colombo including Senior Professors J.B. Dissanayake and Sampath Amaratunga, Secretary Defence Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Rathnayake and cricketer Dinesh Chandimal got together at the college premises today to launch the Ananda Walk 2024 under the theme ‘Educate and Empower to Save Mother Lanka’, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 7.

Absorb us into teaching profession…

The All Ceylon School Development Officers Union staged a protest march towards the Fort Railway Station today, demanding that the government promptly absorb their service into the teaching profession. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Selfie with Minister

The programme of appreciation of the students who obtained excellent results in the 2023 (2024) GCE Advanced Level Examination was held today at the Education Ministry under the chairmanship of Minister Susil Premajayantha and they appeared for a group photo and a selfie photo with the Minister.

Regional well wishes...

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, who began his third consecutive term after being sworn-in at New Delhi. Both leaders agreed to maintain bilateral ties between the two nations. The Indian Prime Minister also met other heads of state who attended the swearing-in. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

How it happened...

The stretch of road at Pahala Kadugannawa on the Colombo-Kandy road was closed for traffic to remove unstable rocks and branches of trees along this section of the road. Captured here is how the unstable rocks and tree branches were removed. However, the stretch of road was reopened today after clearing the area.