President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa graced the first day of the Gangarama Navam Perahara today along with several dignitaries. Traditional drummers, dancers, and whip-crackers added colours to the Perahera. Pix by Nisal Baduge
An exhibition was held at the Archaeology Department premises in view of the 75th anniversary of independence with the participation of the National Museums Department, the Archaeology Department, and with the support of the Central Cultural Fund.
Hundred Buddhist monks of Amunukumbura Sri Bodhirukkarama Viharaya performed a ‘pindapatha charika’ (a walk to collect alms) from Batepola Junction to the temple this morning to mark the Navam Full Moon Poya Day. Siyane Shakthi Praja Sathkara Organisation organized the programme. Pix by Kushan Sangeeth Pathiraja
India’s Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs State Minister Vellamvelli Muralidaran today visited the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and met with the temple Viharadhkari Dr Kirinde Assaji Thero and received religious blessings. Minister Muralidaran arrived in Sri Lanka on February 3 to participate in the 75th Independence Day of Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, the Father of the Nation, was offered floral tributes at his statue at Independence Square today to mark the 75th Independence Day. Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha, Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and Former Minister Rukmal Senanayake paid floral tributes to the late Premier’s statue. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.
The delegation led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC met with Education Minister and Leader of the House of Parliament Susil Premajayantha, yesterday (02) in Parliament. The delegation led by the Commonwealth Secretary-General was welcomed and received by the Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake.
State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon received the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen and the Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake yesterday evening. The two dignitaries have arrived in Sri Lanka to attend the 75th Independence Day celebration on Saturday (Feb 04).
The Joint Trade Union Alliance yesterday engaged in a protest in front of the National Institute of Mental Health Hospital in Angoda, demanding the government take immediate action to bring down the skyrocketing cost of living. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.
Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva and Army Commander Lt. General Vikum Liyanage seen having a friendly chat at the Independence Day rehearsals held at the Galle Face Green today. Sri Lankan Military personnel took part in the rehearsal for the Independence Day parade which will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Convener of Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige was today released by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court in connection with a case filed for allegedly committing offenses under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
The Science and Technology Business Center (S&T Business Centre), the Petroleum and Lubricating Oil Testing Laboratory, and the Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory were declared open today by Industries and Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana. The S&T Business Centre and Lubricant Testing Laboratory were established under the ITI. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
Journalists and media activists gathered at the Viharamahadevi Park this evening to commemorate the slain and disappeared media personalities, during a ‘Black January’ remembrance programme organised by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA). Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
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