President holds talks with IMF Managing Director

President Ranil Wickremesinghe had talks with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, Finance Minister of Ghana Ken Ofori-Atta and the Speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives and former President Mohamed Nasheed in Egypt.

7-star facility hotel project in Udispattuwa

Aviyana Private Chalets is considered as the first five-star with seven-star facility hotel project with the ’pick & cook’ dining concept in South Asia to open its wings to the hospitality sector which provides luxurious, exquisite and individually designed chalets experience to its clientele. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Admiring the natural beauty....

Foreigners are seen enjoying their visit to Sri Lanka by engaging in excursions to the scenic areas of the country. The number of tourists visiting in the country is on the rise is evident through this. Many tourists from Slovakia, Sweden, and Norway are visiting Sri Lanka and undertake visits to Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Bandarawela.

Ill Poya religious observances

Religious observances were conducted in Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya, Boralesgamuwa and Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo today in view of the Ill Poya which also marked the end of the “Vas” period. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Katina Pinkama at Gangaramaya Temple

The annual Katina Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple was held early this morning under the aegis of Ven Dr Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Clean Green Sri Lanka

Under the supervision and approval of the Sri Lanka Railway Department, Varun Beverages Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. and the Sri Lanka Railway Station Master’s Union jointly launched a project titled ’’Clean Green Sri Lanka’’ providing containers for collecting plastic bottles at railway stations.

Madura visits historical sites of Kotte

Colombo District MP Madura Withanage is seen engaging in an observation tour of the historical sites of archaeological value belonging to the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Kingdom. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The past week - In pictures

Provide relief to the suffering...

The Ridgeway Children’s Hospital Health Committee staged a protest today in front of the hospital, demanding the government stop repression, solve the medicine shortage and provide relief to the suffering. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Colombo Dockyard launches cable laying and repair vessel

Colombo Dockyard PLC (DCPLC), the leaders in ship-building industry in Sri Lanka and one of the most competitive shipyards in South Asia, launched a cable-laying and repair vessel to Prange Marine France today, staying on course with its ship-building activities, resilient and undeterred by the challenges faced. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SL unveils FIFA Fan Zone 2022

Gearing up to be part of the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup, Sri Lanka yesterday officially launched FIFA Fan Zone 2022. FIFA Fan Zone 2022 is being set up in Negombo, Lewis Lane, where all hotels, restaurants and boutiques are currently receiving a facelift to give Qatar’s FIFA World Cup vibe. Sri Lanka’s fan zone for the world cup spectators is endorsed by the FIFA management, the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau (SLCB) said. Pix by Kithsiri de

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