New monitoring centre to monitor SL fishing vessels

New Fisheries Monitoring Centre was declared opened today to monitor Sri Lankan fishing vessels using Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The opening ceremony was held under patronage of Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda and Visiting Australian Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’ Neil. Australia donated over 4,000 VMS at a cost of Five million Australian dollars in a bid to locate illegal boats taking asylum seekers to Australia.

’Chinese Bridge’ language competition held

The 21st ’Chinese Bridge’ Chinese Language skills competition held at the University of Colombo recently with the patronage of the Chinese Ambassidor to Sri Lanka and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo University. The competition was sponsored by the Confucius Institute of Colombo University. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi.

Int’l Yoga Day

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay engaged in Yoga at the Independence Square in Colombo today to mark the International Yoga Day. The event was organized by the Indian High Commission. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Step down if unable to provide solutions...

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

Still with hope...

Long queues were witnessed at filling stations in Colombo, although fuel was distributed toady. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchci

IUSF against shortage of gas, fuel, medicine, food

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) today staged a protest march from Lipton Circus to Fort Railway Station against the shortage of gas, fuel, medicine, and food. They urged the government to grant them some sort of relief. A group of protesters from ‘GotaGoGama’ in Galle Face Green also joined the protest. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Bicycles to the rescue....

Bicycles seemed to have become a major mode of transportation in the country due to the present fuel crisis and a large number of people are seen on the roads riding their bicycles in Borella today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

12 air tickets for students leaving for Japan

Air tickets were handed over to 12 young students through the IRO College of Education technical intern recruit Sri Lankan workers in Japan. The air tickets were handed over at the Gangaramaya temple in Colombo yesterday. These students will leave for Japan on Wednesday (22). After receiving the tickets, the students were blessed by the Deputy Incumbent Gangaramaya Temple Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tense situ outside Presidential Secretariat

Protesters who were blocking the entrances to the Presidential Secretariat in Galle Face were removed by the police this morning.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Painted faces...

Cricket fans are seen painting their faces to cheer their team just before the third ODI of the five-match series against Australia got off yesterday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Khettarama, Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Remembering late PM

A special commemoration ceremony was held to mark the 111th birth anniversary of Late Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake at his statue in Borella yesterday. His grand nephew former Minister Rukman Senanayake and other relatives were present at the event. The picture shows Deputy Mayor of Colombo garlanding the statue of the former Premier. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Indian Women’s team arrives

Indian Women’s Team led by Harmanpreet Kaur arrived in Sri Lanka to play three T20Is in Dambulla on June 23,

It’s selfie time

A fan invades the ground to take a selfie with Dushmantha Chameera following the win against Australia at the Pallekele International Cricket Ground yesterday.

Protest against awarding projects to Adani Group

The protesters at Galle Face shouted slogans against the move by the Sri Lankan government to award the renewable energy project to Adani Group, an Indian multinational conglomerate without following proper tender procedures. They alleged that the Sri Lankan government succumbed to Indian pressure. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Legalise employee conditions

The members of the Protect Union today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway station demanding the government to legalise and create safer working environment for domestic workers. The protest was held in view of the International Domestic Workers’ Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sila program for Poson

The Viharamahadevi Girl’s School, Colombo 10, held a sila program yesterday in view of the Poson Poyaday. Children from various religious background in the school are seen taking part in the programme. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Pelicans dive at Beira Lake...

Beira Lake promises spectacular entertainment to the visitors and onlookers as pelicans dive for prey on the waterfront. These migrant birds fly from the West to East every year during a particular season. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Winding queues....still with hope

Long queues were witnessed at filling stations in Colombo, although fuel was distributed toady. Pix by Pradeep Pathjirana and Nisal Baduge

Galle Road blocked from Dehiwala...

A group of people blocked the Galle Road from Dehiwala demanding fuel this morning.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Poson Bathi Gee...

Students of the Wijaya Dhamma School in Kotte Naga Viharaya hosted Bathi Gee last night to mark the Poson Poya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Poson Dansala at Gangarama temple

Another dansala took place near the Gangarama Temple this afternoon in view of the Poson Poya day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Prisoners released under Poson pardon

Following the recommendations of the Justice, Prisons, and Constitutional Reforms Ministry, 173 prisoners have been released from the prisons around the country on account of Poson Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

World Blood Donor's Day

An event was organised at the National Blood Transfusion Services in Narahenpita in view of the ’World Blood Donors’ Day’ today in recognition of the individuals who donate their blood to save the lives of the people who are unknown to them. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Poson Dansala at Sirikotha

The United National Party (UNP) has organized a Dansala this afternoon at its head quarters ’’Sirikota’’, Pitakotte in view of the Poson full-moon poya day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Religious observances at Gangaramaya and Bellanwila

People gathered at the Gangaramaya temple at Hunupitiya, Colombo and Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya were seen taking part in religious observances today on Poson Full Moon Poya day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Kithsiri de Mel

Thantirimale Poson Aloka Pooja

The historic Thantirimale Poson Aloka Pooja organized by Wijaya Newspapers Ltd. for the 19th time commenced today at the Thantirimale Rajamaha Raja Maha Viharaya.

Pettah busy, but no sales

The wholesale shops in Pettah were deserted today resulted in poor business turnover. The shop owners lament that it is difficult to trade essential commodities because of skyrocketing prices and price control mechanism. However the porters (natamis) seem busy loading and unloading goods to and from Lorries. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Nisal Baduge.

LAUGFS draws long queues...

Long queues are seen at LAUGFS outlet along Havelock Road to buy gas, as limited number of cylinders have been issued for distribution among consumer today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Long queues for kerosene

Long queues were seen at Kosgas Junction to purchase Kerosene due to the shortage of domestic gas in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Shanaka plays captain’s knock

Dasun Shanaka led from the front with a scintillating half-century as Sri Lanka edged world champions Australia by four wickets in the third and final Twenty20 International to avoid a series whitewash on Saturday.