Massive protest march in Colombo...

A massive peaceful protest march was held this afternoon from the Elphinstone Theater in Maradana against state repression. Leading trade unions and over 150 organizations participated in the protest march. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SL navy receives offshore vessel donated by US

Former US Coast Guard Offshore Vessel P 627 which was donated to Sri Lanka Navy by the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard arrived at Colombo Port this morning (Nov. 02). P 627, the second ’Hamilton Class- High Endurance Cutter’, received by the SLN measures 115m in length and capable of reaching the maximum speed of 29 knots with 14000 nautical miles of endurance at cruising speed. Further, she has be

Made to wait for weekely fuel quota...

Three-wheelers engaged in passenger transportation are seen queued up at fuel sheds to get their increased 10-litre weekly fuel quota. The registration formalities are done in the Western Province (WP) yesterday in order to fathom their effectiveness. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Prize giving ceremony in Ragama...

Ragama 181 Grama Niladari office and Sadahiru Children’s Club jointly organized a prize giving ceremony for children’s art, poetry and essay competition at the playground one Siriwardana Road, Ragama. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Reading makes a knowledgeable society

The Colombo Public Library recently organized an event displaying banners and placards in view of national reading month under the theme of ’’Reading for a knowledgeable society’’. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

’Isle of Rataa’

’Isle of Rataa’ handicraft exhibition was held recently at the Body Bar in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SL businessman awarded with Doctorate in Dubai

Anil Pannilage, the founder of the Sunleaf Group in Sri Lanka was awarded the honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Business Administration at the graduation ceremony of the American National Business University, which was held recently in a grand manner at the Dubai Crown Plaza Hotel.

SLAF completes another aerial seed bombing operation

The Sri Lanka Air Force under the guidance of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana together with the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya and Central Environment Authority instigated the seventh wave of seed bombing at Wattegama Kebilitta Government Forest Reserve in the Siyamblanduwa Divisional Secretariat.

India’s bridge collapse tragedy

Indian rescue personnel conduct search operations after a bridge across the river Machchhu collapsed in Morbi, some 220 kms from Ahmedabad, early on October 31, 2022. AFP

Akila opens new Oram office in Dehiwala

Oram Dental Center, Sri Lanka’s leading dental material, medical and diagnostic device supplier and dental health care provider opened its new office at No 92, Pepiliyana Road Nedimala, Dehiwala yesterday. Former minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam attended the opening as the chief guest. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Program held to mark White Cane Day

A program was organised jointly by the Lions Club of Seeduwa, Lions Club of Colombo, National Development Bank, Bahiraha Farms and Sun Shine Ltd to mark the White Cane Safety Day in Seeduwa. A clinic for visually challenged, an empowerment program were held while dry rations were also distributed to those who are visually challenged during the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Special Forces in action

A passing out parade of one more elite batch of 19 highly-trained Officers and 595 Other Ranks of Sri Lanka Army’s Special Forces Regiment, upon completion of their intensive nine-month long Training Courses No - 52 and 53 was held on Saturday (29) during a thrilling ceremony at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) at Maduruoya.

Cops feed students...

Police officers of the Gothatuwa Police Station organised an awareness programme for students at the Gothatuwa Maha Vidyalaya. They also provided a meal to the students. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

’Shoptober’ Mega sale at SLECC

The ’Shoptober fest and brand sale exhibition’ is currently underway at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) and scheduled to go on until Sunday (30) from 9.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Urea stock received for Maha season

The first shipment of 13,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer for paddy cultivation for the Maha season has arrived in the country. The stock was brought from China and unloaded at the port of Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Mete out justice...

Families of the disappeared staged a protest in front of the Office of the Missing Persons yesterday urging the authorities to expedite the truth seeking process. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Christmas cake mixing ceremony...

The traditional Christmas cake mixing ceremonies were held yesterday at the Hotel Club Dolphin in Waikkal and the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Demanding release of Aragalaya activists...

The Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) today staged a protest in front of the Terrorost investigation unit at Narahenpita, demanding the release of Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera and convenor Wasantha Mudalige, who were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). They claimed that the Buddhist monk was infected with dengue and no proper treatment was given to him. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Protest Rally held...

The Trade Union Collective Centre (TUCC) and the Combined People’s Movement today staged a protest rally at the Philip Gunawardena Playground in Colombo, over the unjustice faced by the people who were involved in democratic Aragalaya at the Galle Face Green. They demanded to release those who were arrested during the protests. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Intl. Water Conference 2022 in Sri Lanka

The National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB) has organized the International Water Conference (IWC) from December 10-16, at the newly constructed world class residential training and conferencing centre with the state-of-the-art ’Cewas’ located at Ratmalana, aiming to attract around 600 local and international water professionals to the conference. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dilum visits Port City

Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugma made a special site visit to the Port City today (27) and said the Gazette notification stipulating the laws and regulations pertaining to the Colombo Port City Development Project will be issued in a couple of days. He said Sri Lanka is benchmarking with global standards and in the process of promoting and ease of doing business, thereby making Port City another Dubai or Singapore.

PM visited crop plantations

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene today visited crop plantations maintained under the Food Security Committee at Kethumathi Viharaya in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. He distributed dry rations and stationaries among schoolchildren. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

’Akshara’ live-in concert launched...

The launching event of the ’Akshara’ live concert held today in Colombo with the participation of talented veterans such as Shirley Waijayantha, Kumarasiri Pathirana, Asanga Priyamantha Peiris and Chandrasena Hettiarachchi. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Quit foaling around!

Incredible pictures show two stallions fighting in a test of strength at a horse sanctuary, with their manes going wild as they duel. The series of images, taken at the Onaqui Wild Horse Sanctuary in Utah, capture a pair of stallions in the midst of battle.

Collective proposal to govt.

People’s Protest against State Repression today engaged in a signature campaign to hand over a collective proposal to the government to take immediate action against the violation of fundamental rights of the protesters and demand the release of those who were arrested during the Aragalaya. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

India illuminates for Diwali

Indians have celebrated Diwali as earthen oil lamps and dazzling lights lit up homes and streets across the country to mark the Hindu festival that symbolises the victory of light over darkness. Diwali, which is a national holiday across India, is typically celebrated by socialising and exchanging gifts with family and friends. Many light earthen oil lamps or candles and fireworks are set off as part of the celebrations. (Daily Mail)

Sajith participates in Deepavali celebration

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is seen participating at a religious observances at the opposition leader’s office in view of the Deepavali festival today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Beach gets facelift

A beach cleaning program was launched today at the Dehiwala coast in line with the program’s objective of creating a healthy ocean. The program was organized by the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Pearl Protection Program. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.

Happy Deepavali!

Devotees gathered at the Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil in Kochchikade are engaged in religious observances to celebrate Deepavali festival today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

238 recruits of SL Navy pass out in Sampoor

Upon successful completion of their basic training, 238 recruits of the 248th intake of Sri Lanka Navy’s Regular and Volunteer Forces, passed out at the main parade ground of SLNS Vidura in Sampoor, Trincomalee yesterday.