Sudeva Hettiarachchi, Kingsley Ratnayake assume duties

Veteran journalists Sudeva Hettiarachchi and Kingsley Ratnayake, who has been appointed as the Director-General of Presidential Media, assumed duties this morning at the President’s media premises. Pix by President’s media unit

Tree planting programme in Fort & Pettah

A tree-planting programme was launched yesterday by the Pettah police in a bid to make Fort and Pettah a green city under the patronage of SSP Nishantha Chandrasekara, in charge of Colombo Central area. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

130th remembrance of A.E. Gunasinghe

The 130th remembrance of the man who pioneered the labour movement in Sri Lanka, A.E. Gunasinghe was held near the statue of the late Gunasinghe in Pettah today.Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Less crowds in Colombo

Several areas in Colombo city including Pettah and Fort, which are busy areas on normal days, looked less crowded yesterday probably yesterday being the May Day holiday and owing to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country. Pix by Samantha Perera

A worker pulling a hand-cart laden with goods

Ahead of May Day, a masked worker pulls a hand-cart laden with goods. May Day activities are marred by the pandemic. It seems there is no respite for these workers toiling daily.

Justice for Rishad Bathiudeen...

A protest was held in Colombo today urging the authorities to mete out justice for Rishad Bathiudeen. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman was also present at the protest.

Flooded...

Ela Iwura village at Buthgamuwa road in Rajagiriya was flooded due to heavy rains this morning. About 42 affected families were taken to a safe location. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

’’Haritha Saviya’’ empowers to bring life back to nature

The Global Lifestyle Lanka as part of their social responsibility commitments recently held events of tree planting in several areas of Thimbirigasyaaya and Colombo Municipal Council Jurisdiction under the theme “Haritha Saviya”.

Ruwan visits Chief Sanghanayake Theras

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene called on the Chief Sanghanayaka for Japan and South East Asia Ven. Pelpola Vipassi Thera and Ulapane Sumangala Thera in Colombo yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Tense situation at State Engineering Corporation office

A tense situation was reported at the State Engineering Corporation office today after its Chairman was held hostage in his office by employees over salary issue

Long queues for PCR test

Emergency PCR tests were conducted at the Dedicated Economic Centre at Welisara yesterday considering the prevailing pandemic situation at Dambulla and Thambuththegama. The vendors were seen in long queues to undergo PCR tests. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Customs seize Rs.21mn worth illegal imports

Officers of the Customs Revenue Supervision Division seized more than Rs.9 million worth of cosmetics and women’s and children’s footwear to the value of Rs.12 million while attempting to smuggle into the country.

Chinese Defence Minister calls on President

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

Second dose of COVID vaccination begins

The second dose rollout of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for frontline workers commenced today from the Community Centre in Maradana. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Colombo Fort crowded

People in the vicinity of Colombo Fort have flocked in numbers to the shops in the face of the rising new corona situation in the country. Pix Damith Wickramasnghe

Chinese Defence Minister arrives

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe arrived in Sri Lanka last night on a two-day official visit.

Ruwan meets Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene called on the Mahanayaka of Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera at Asgiriya temple in Kandy yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

PCR tests conducted in Lester James Peries Mawatha

A health team of the Colombo Municipal Council carried out PCR tests on residents of Dr Lester James Peries Mawatha, Colombo as a precautionary measure to fully contain the COVID-19 virus in the country. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Seeking blessings on ’Bak’ Poya Day

Devotees are seen engaged in religious observances at Gangaramaya Temple and Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya today to mark the ’Bak’ Full Moon Poya Day. The significance of Bak Poya was historical since it marks Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Alcazaba delivers!

Alcazaba, the Queen of Little England, proved her worth as she, together with Jockey J. Chinoy, claimed the RTC Magic Million Cup, the headliner of the day, at the RTC Magic Million Cup Raceday 2021 worked off at the Nuwara Eliya racecourse on Saturday.

Record breaking SLAF swimmer now Environmental Ambassador

Roshan Abeysundara, the Sri Lanka Air Force swimmer who swam from Mannar to Danushkodi, India and returned to Mannar had been appointed as an Environmental Ambassador by the Ministry of Environment. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Address unresolved issues

A group of people staged a protest in Colombo urging the authorities to address their unresolved issues. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Police launch public awareness programme

A public awareness programme on the importance of wearing face mask to safeguard from Covid spread conducted by police today in various parts of the country. Picture shows a police officer of the Kirulapona Police is engaged in checking the passengers in the bus to ensure the health guidelines are followed. Pix by Nisal Baduge

UNP Deputy Leader calls on chief prelates

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday called on the Mahanayaka of Ramanya Chapter Most Venerable Makullewe Wimala Thera at Mirigama Vidyawansa Maha Pirieena and the Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera at Kelaniya temple. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Large crowds seen in upcountry

A large number of people seen in Nuwara Eliya today despite repeated instructions issued by the authorities to restrict traveling due to Covid-19, Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Bride and Groom Wedding Fair

The opening ceremony of the Bride and Groom Wedding Fair 2021 was held at the BMICH yesterday under the patronage of Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake. The exhibition would be held until Sunday (25).

Monk on fast unto death

Badiwawa Diyasena Thero commenced fast unto death outside the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs today against Migettuwatte Sumitta Thero being elected as the Secretary of the Kalpitiya Shasanarakshaka Balamandalaya. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Mini floods in Colombo...

Several roads in Colombo city are seen affected with minor floods due to torrential rain showers this afternoon.

Sajith visits Harin

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Manusha Nanayakkara today visited SJB MP Harin Fernando who is currently under treatment at a private hospital in Colombo for a minor illness.

SL’s first sandalwood garden in Battaramulla

Sri Lanka’s first ’Sandalwood Garden’ consisting of 1000 sandalwood trees would be built on a nine-acre land near the Parliament Complex, adjacent to ’Ape Gama’ (our village) premises in Sri Jayawardenapura, Battaramulla and will be opened soon. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe