Dedicated area for protests

In a bid to ease traffic congestion in Colombo caused by protests, a dedicated area has been allocated near the Presidential Secretariat and in close proximity to the Galle Face Green to conduct protests and demonstrations.

In solidarity

A group of activists gathered at the Borella roundabout last morning to express their disagreement with the government’s decision to sing the National Anthem in Sinhala only at the 72nd Independence Day celebration. The activists were seen singing the National Anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil.

Freedom!

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa granted a General Amnesty for 512 prisoners to mark the Independence Day on February 4. A group of prisoners is seen leaving the Welikada Prison after they were granted pardon. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SL Navy accords 25-Gun Salute

Sri Lanka Navy accorded a 25-Gun Salute to the Nation today at the Lighthouse premises in Colombo Fort to mark the 65th Independence Day.

Celebrating 72 years of freedom

The 72nd Independence Day celebration was held at the Independence Square in Colombo 07 today showcasing a military parade and a cultural pageant under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and other dignitaries. Pix by Shameera Rajapakse

Airforce celebrated the 72nd independence anniversary

The Sri Lanka Airforce celebrated the 72nd anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Commemorating Independence

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Colombo Mayoress Rosy Senanayake and several Parliamentarians attended a ceremony held at the Sri Dharmakeertyaramaya Temple in Polwatte, Kollupitiya to commemorate the 72nd Independence Day this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Pettah deserted

Several roads in Pettah were seen deserted as people have returned to their homes outside of Colombo for Independence day celebrations. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Exhibition on int’l trade & national trade policy

An exhibition organised by the Professionals’ National Front on international trade and features of a national trade policy, was launched at the Office of the Organisation of Professional Associations in Colombo by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Bitter truth of bond scam

The bitter truth of the bond scam was held at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo recently. The Member of the Political Bureau of the JVP and former Chairman of the COPE Committee Sunil Handunnetti participated

Inspection at Sathosa wholesale stores complex

Mission of mercy team

Pictures show the crew members who volunteered to operate the airline’s mission of mercy that brought back Sri Lankan students from Wuhan, China. Aircraft Technician Rumesh Pathiraja, Licensed Aircraft Engineer Lalitha Pathberiya, Chief Pilot Captain Chamindra de Zoysa, Chief Officer Service Delivery Captain Rajind Ranatunga, Flight Safety Manager Captain Anushke Jeewandara, Purser Farhaan Haniffa and Cabin Service Supervisor Jenaly Janasz, were

Russian Ground Forces Commander in SL

Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces of the Russian Federation, General Oleg Salyukov is seen receiving a guard of honour when he arrived in the country today. He is a combat veteran with 45 years in service and decorated with orders and nine medals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Streamline university administrative structure: undergrads

The students of the Inter-University Science Faculty Students’ Action Committee (IUSFSC) staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station in Colombo for the third day today urging the authorities to resolve their demands and to streamline the administrative structure of universities. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Independence Day rehearsals

The Sri Lankan security forces staged rehearsal today at the Independence Square in preparation for Independence Day celebrations. Pix by Nimalasiri Edirisinghe

Courageous crew of SriLankan

SriLankan Airlines expresses its profound gratitude to its patriotic and loyal staff members who volunteered to operate Flight UL1423, the airline’s mission of mercy that brought back our students from Wuhan, China, on Saturday 1st February 2020.

Pakistan Lifestyle Exhibition 2020

The Pakistan Lifestyle Exhibition 2020, which features textile, cosmetics, footwear and other products, was launched at the BMICH on Friday by Minister Wimal Weerawansa and High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Major General (Rtd.) Muhammad Saad Khattak . It will be held till February 2. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

71st Republic Day of India celebrations

To commemorate India’s 71st Republic Day a special cultural concert ‘Divine Quartet’ featuring legendary maestros from India, Grammy winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Grammy-nominated Pandit Subhen Chatterjee enthralled the music lovers of Colombo at BMICH on 25 January.

‘Mal Perahera’

A floral procession (Mal Perahera) organised by the differently-abled persons of the Suhada Home, a rehabilitation centre in Kotte, was held this evening at the Ganagarama Temple in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Anita Dorai supports ‘Wheels for Wheels’

Anita Dorai, a Singaporean philanthropist, pledged her support for ‘Wheels for Wheels’ initiative launched by the annual cycling challenge, ‘Around the Pearl.’ Wheels for Wheels initiative focuses on the well-being of those living with Cerebral Palsy.

Independence Day traffic plan

A special traffic plan would be implemented with effect from today until February 03 surrounding the areas of Independence Square in Colombo due to the rehearsal of the 72nd National Independence Day celebrations.

Religious observances seeking protection from Coronavirus

A Sathi Piritha was held at Gangarama Temple in Colombo last night to seek protection from the new Coronavirus infection spreading across the world. Agga Maha Pandita Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera, Gangaramaya resident monk Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera, Abhayarama Vihara Chief Incumbent Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera and other prelates invoked blessings and conducted the religious observances in which Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also took par

Demanding extension of contract

A group of Employees attached to the Department of Archaeology carried out a protest outside the Presidential Secretariat demanding the extension of their contract.

Ahead of Independence Day

Tailors are seen making National Flags at a small shop in Colombo, ahead of the Independence Day. Sri Lanka will celebrate its 72st Independence Day on February 4. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Back to prison...

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake is seen leaving the Nugegoda Magistrate’s court premises after he was further remanded.

Make us permanent: Dengue prevention assistants

The members of the All Ceylon Dengue Prevention Assistants’ Association staged a protest outside the Health Ministry in Colombo today demanding the authorities to make them permanent. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff concludes SL tour

Concluding his official tour to Sri Lanka, the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Zafar Mahood left the island this morning. During this tour, Admiral Zafar Mahood met with Prime Minister, Secretary Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Army and Commander of the Air Force.

‘Black January’

Sri Lankan media activists of the Free Media Movement were seen engaged in a silent protest by holding photos of killed and missing Sri Lankan journalists at the ‘Black January’ held at the Lipton Circus in Colombo yesterday.

Art Exhibition

Art Exhibition of Chathuranga Biyagama and several Bangladeshi artists was held yesterday at the Gallery FourLife, Colombo with the participation several guests including the Dean of University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

When a virus scare goes viral…

Several people in Colombo are seen wearing face masks as a precautionary measure to prevent being infected from new Coronavirus. Pix by Nisal Baduge and Kushan Pathiraja