Present crisis turns Colombo a lonely city

With the present fuel crisis, only fewer people are seen wandering around Colombo. Also the fuel and economic crisis confined people to their homes as the govt, has directed People to work and children to study while staying home. Due to this people are finding it tough to earn their living. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Protest demanding GR, Ranil step down

The National Trade Union Front (NTUF), National Trade Union Coordination Centre (NTUCC) and some Civil organizations today conducted a protest at Borella calling President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign and handover powers to an able person who could run the country effectively after resolving the economic crisis. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Power Ministry Secy held hostage

Secretery Minister of Power and Energy M. Pathirana was held hostage by the workers of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation today after alleging that there is a move to sell off more than 1,000 filling stations to foreign companies. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Waiting to fill tanks...

Due to fuel shortage, several bowsers that distribute fuel are seen parked in vehicle yards and along the roadside at the Muthurajawela petroleum terminal. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

PMB RICE launched

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera launched the PMB RICE today with the assistance of Paddy Marketing Board’(PMB). PMB’s existing stocks of paddy to control the rising prices of rice in the market and to provide high quality rice to consumers. People are pictured here buying 5 and 10 kg bags tagged under ’’PMB RICE’’ prepared within the Agriculture Ministry premises in Battaramulla. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Queues at fuel stations

Vehicles were seen queueing up at fuel stations yesterday in several areas across the country. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Withdraw if unable to provide solutions ...

The Railways Trade Union Alliance (RTUA) today staged a protest in colombo demanding the government should withdraw if it is unable to provide solutions to the burning issues in the country. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Issuing token begins

Military was seen issuing tokens for the consumers who queued up at filling stations today. The picture shows Air Force personnel issuing tokens to those who queued up at the filling station at Union Place. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Release all protesters

A protest organized by the Jathika Jana Balawegaya, urging to release all protesters who were arrested recently, was held outside the Fort Railway station. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Release GotaGoGama protesters...

A group of people staged a protest near Viharamahadevi Park demanding the release of GotaGoGama protesters who were in remand custody. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Gankanda College’s PPA

The first meeting of the newly elected Executive Committee members of the Gankanda Central College’s Colombo branch Past Pupils’ Association was held recently at the Senior Police Officers’ Mess in Colombo. Principal of the Gankanda Central College Sudheera Fonseka, President of the PPA Priyantha Weliwatta, Secretary Ms. Priyanka Dissanayake and Treasurer Champika Piyadasa, were also present on this occasion.

Long fuel queues

Long queues could be seen in front of several fuel stations in Colombo due to the shortage of fuel and lack of fuel supply. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SLAF’s fallen war heroes commemorated

The SLAF’s Fallen War Heroes Commemoration Ceremony 2022 was held under the patronage by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana at the Sri Lanka Air Force War Heroes Monument, SLAF Trade Training School Ekala.

Isipathana made to fight hard for win

Isipathana, though coming out victorious, was made to fight hard by Science College before pulling off a close 18 points to 9 win in their opening match of the Dialog Schools Rugby tournament played a Havelock Park yesterday. lsipathana, having taken a slender 13-6 lead at the breather,accumulated their points through three tries and a penaltyto the three penalties scored by Science College. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

A sea of yellow at the Premadasa

The R Premadasa Stadium was a sea of yellow on Friday, with Sri Lankan cricket fans wearing yellow to show their appreciation to Australian team for touring the country amidst the ongoing economic crisis. Australia won the final ODI by four wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to 160 and then chasing down the target in 39.3 overs for the loss of six wickets. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Royal open campaign with 22-12 win over St. Anthony’s

Defending champions Royal College scraped through against St. Anthony’s College, to record a close 22 points to 12 win in the Dialog Schools Rugby tournament played at the Royal Complex ground in Reid Avenue on Friday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Fans in yellow...

Sri Lankan cricket fans clad in yellow are turning up at R. Premadasa stadium to thank Australia for continuing with this tour amid an economic crisis. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi and Kushan Pathiraja

Doctors in fuel queues

Doctors are seen in fuel queues in Colombo despite assurance that health staff could refuel their vehicles at identified filling stations on Fridays. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Save our country from crisis...

The Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC) and Joint People’s Movement yesterday staged a protest at the Makumbura Highway Bus Stand over the current economic crisis. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Donation from Japan

The Nippon Donation Foundation of Japan yesterday donated Rs.10 million to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Japan is considered as the oldest friend of the island nation. Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara graced the ceremony as the chief guest. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

St. Joseph’s beat Kingswood

St. Joseph’s opened thier Dialog Schools Rugby League campaign with a 34-03 win over Kingswood College at Havelock Park on Thursday. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Protest demanding petrol...

People queuing near the filling station at Panchikawatta Junction in Maradana yesterday blocked the main road entering to and from Colombo Fort for not getting petrol. Heavy traffic was reported in the area during the protest. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Getting prepared to counter food crisis

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has taken measures to cultivate the lands in the Colombo Municipality area to face the upcoming food shortage. CMC Mayoress Rosy Senanayake today launched the pilot program ahead of the project at the Viharamahadevi park this morning. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Rapid rescue...

AFP photographers Oli Scarff and Peter Kohalmi capture the dramatic rescue of USA’s Anita Alvarez from the bottom of the pool when she fainted during the women’s solo free artistic swimming finals at the Budapest 2022 World Aquatics Championships.

Stop arresting peaceful protesters...

A protest was held opposite the United Nations Head Office in Colombo demanding the government should stop taking peaceful protesters into police custody. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Step down if unable to provide solutions...

The Railways Trade Union Alliance (RTUA) today staged a protest in colombo demanding the government should withdraw if it is unable to provide solutions to the burning issues in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Demanding solutions to present crisis...

The staff of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) in Colombo, today staged a demonstration in front of the hospital demanding solutions to the current crisis in the country. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest against Prez...

Protesters at the ’GotaGoGama’ in Thimbirigasyaya staged several demonstrations demanding President Gotabaya should step down immediately. They conducted a sticker campaign to show their solidarity to the fellow protesters. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Cops get another hug from Hirunika

The 5th Lane in Colombo where PM Ranil Wickramasinghe’s private residence is situated was blocked by a group of protestors led by SJB member Hirunika Premachandra this morning. The protestors attempted to storm the police barricades which resulted in traffic chaos in the area. Images show Hirunika hugging a police officer, an act many people believe is her modus operandi at protests

Sri Lanka vs Australia ODI series

It was the first time Sri Lanka had beaten Australia in a five-match series. The fifth ODI is on Friday. Australia failed at the final ball of the fourth one-day international on Tuesday as Sri Lanka won by four runs and took an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the series. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja