A ceremony to hand over the Commander’s Cup was held yesterday at the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters. The Commander’s Cup, played for between CH & FC and Sri Lanka Air Force over two legs was won by CH & FC. Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa and Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana were present at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge
A private light aircraft of Sakurai Aviation Cessna 172 has made an emergency landing in the Dagonna area, Kimbulapitiya this afternoon. The SLAF had deployed a team to the location and a fire brigade team had also been dispatched. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila
The Madura Vithanage Foundation donated a PCR machine which was a pressing need of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila) today. Kalubowila Hospital had only one PCR machine so far and this new machine can perform 96 PCR tests simultaneously. This PCR machine was worth around Rs. 15,000,000 (Rs.15 million) and was handed over to the hospital staff lead by the Director Dr. Sagari Kiriwandeniya. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchci
Former Western Provincial Councilor of the Samagi Vanitha Balawega lodged a complaint with the Child Protection Authority seeking compensation for Nipuni Nuwanthika, the girl who was killed by her father and uncle in Gampola, and for ensuring the safety of her family members. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe
Due to the trade union action launched by the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU), issuing train tickets has been suspended at the ticket counters. Notices are displayed at the ticket counter so that people could travel without tickets. The SLRSMU stopped issuing train tickets due to a lack of proper arrangements to transport parcels to destinations. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
A special operation was carried out at the Manning Market under the advise of the Manning Market Manager and with the support of STF personnel yesterday (23) to search people who were not wearing masks and roaming at the premises. People including vendors and porters who were at the premises without a valid identity issued by the Market management were also reprimanded and ejected from the Market. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
Breathe environment and sustainability, an organization committed to preserve a green environment in collaboration with the Hilton Colombo launched a tree planting project at the Manelwatta Viharaya of Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies in Kelaniya this morning.
The Jaffna Kings beat the Dambulla Giants to qualify for the final of the Lanka Premier League on Tuesday. Batting first the Kings scored a mammoth 210, which the Giants fell 23 runs short of. They will play the Galle Gladiators in tomorrow’s final. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana
Nearly 34 cattle who were to be sent to slaughter houses were released and handed over to several dairy farmers in the north and east. The ceremony was held at the YMBA in Dehiwala. Members of the YMBA and some citizens provided assistance to get the animals released. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
New Board of Directors appointed for SriLankan Airlines
Hareendra Dissabandara appointed Chairman of Sri Lanka SEC
UN hosts rare special emergency session to address crisis on Coral Reefs
WB inks additional US$200 Mn to support economic reforms in SL
USD selling rate drops below Rs. 300 after 15 months
Floods prompt couple to use canoes for homecoming instead of car
Britain says it implements strategies to boost trade with SL
33,000 new cancer cases, 19,000 deaths last year