Victims of Easter Sunday terror attacks commemorated

People commemorated victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks at a cemetery in Katuwapitiya today, marking the 5th anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Over 260 were killed in the blasts which targeted three churches and three luxury hotels in the island in April 2019. A prayer procession was also held from Maris Stella College, Negombo to St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya to mark the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

MSME holds inaugural ceremony

The Ceylon Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’s inaugural ceremony was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) with the presence of distinguished guests from both local and international spheres. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Marking 5th anniversary of Easter Sunday attacks

Prayers were offered at the St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, led by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, to mark the fifth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and in commemoration of those whose lives were lost in the terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, another mass was held at the Tewatta Church in Ragama. Pix Nisal Baduge

Discussing May Day rally...

Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene participated in a New year celebration in Biyagama today while he also met party activists to dicuss on future programmes including the May Day rally. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President visits Ambewela

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Ambewela Dairy Farm, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this morning to assess its progres. Pix by President media

Cultural dance event from Kataragam Dewalaya

The Ruhunu Maha Kataragam Dewalaya began a cultural dance event ’’The Rythms of Sri Lanka’’ for locals and tourists which will be held during every weekend. This event will help provide funds for the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama. The event was held at the main entrance of the Dewalaya. Pix Nisal Baduge

The ultimate tiger mum

Tigers, revered apex predators of astounding strength, intelligence and beauty, are the jungle’s most majestic creatures.

Final rites for Thevarapperuma

The final rites of the late former Deputy Minister Palitha Thevarapperuma were held this evening at Yatadolawatte, Mathugama, with the participation of politicians, religious leaders and the public. Thevarapperuma was buried at the burial site, which he had prepared while he was still alive in Yatadolawatte. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Stakeholder meeting on plastic pollution

A stakeholder meeting, hosted by the Alliance for Aquatic Research and Conservation (AARC), took place recently at the Malima Clubhouse in Uswetakeiyawa. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Preserve plantations...

Plantation workers attached to the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) staged a protest today in front of the Fort Railway Station, demanding that the authorities protect the plantations as national treasures and increase their daily wage to Rs. 1,700 against the skyrocketing cost of living. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Marking the tree planting ritual...

A Moringa tree was planted this morning to mark the tree planting ritual for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year at the Gangaramaya Temple. Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody participated at the event along with Gangaramaya Deputy Incumbent Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Mount Ruang volcano eruption

This handout photograph taken and released by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation yesterday (17), shows Mount Ruang spewing hot lava and smoke as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi.

President at Court Lodge Estate

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Court Lodge Estate, owned by the Udupusellawa Plantation Company in Nuwara Eliya this morning (16) to explore opportunities for the revival of the tourism industry around the picturesque hills of Nuwara Eliya. Notably, the President embarked on this journey by traversing the Pekoe Trail.

Meetotumulla Tragedy: Relatives light lamps in remembrance

Relatives of the victims of the Meetotumulla tragedy paid tribute to their deceased loved ones by lighting lamps at the monument erected at the site. The tragedy, which occurred earlier, claimed the lives of around 32 individuals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Thailand’s ambassador in Kenya meets with Kananathan

Ambassador of Thailand to Kenya Ms. Morakot Janemathukorn, paid a visit to Kenya’s High Commissioner, Kana Kananathan, at the High Commission Offices in Nairobi .Both participated in constructive talks concerning bilateral affairs of shared importance. The dialogue focused on bilateral matters that hold significance for both countries.

Stranded at Fort station...

Commuters along with their children and belongings, were stranded at the Fort Railway Station due to train cancellations. Eleven scheduled trains were cancelled today due to the absence of locomotive operators and railway guards. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Back to Colombo...

People begin arriving in Colombo after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations. Long-distance buses were deployed to beef up transportation. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Growth in tourist arrivals...

Even after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivals, some foreign tourists were seen walking in the streets of Colombo. According to the reports by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka crossed the 50,000 mark of tourist arrivals during the first nine days of April. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Oil anointing ceremony at Gangaramaya

Oil anointing ceremonies were held throughout the country this morning. This is from a ceremony held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo under the aegis of Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Avurudu Perahera of Kataragama Dewalaya

The annual traditional Avurudu Perahera of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Dewalaya was held yesterday, ushering in prosperity following timely rainfall. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Blessings for New Year...

A pirith chanting ceremony was held last night at the Siri Vajiragnana Dhamma School, Maharagama in view of the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

New Year gifts to needy children...

The distribution of New Year gift parcels to children under the care of 336 Child Development Centres nationwide in celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year commenced this morning in the Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha districts.

Preparing for New Year

People were buying goods even today to celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, with most seen buying firecrackers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Beauty of nature...

Rare bird species and wild animals at the Horton Plains National Park in the summer season. Many local and foreign visitors frequent the National Park to witness its natural beauty. Located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m and encompassing mountain grasslands and forest, Horton Plains is rich in biodiversity and many of the species found here are endemic to the region. Pix by Nisal Baduge

UNP Deputy meets Chief Prelate...

UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene met the Chief Prelate (Mahanayake) of the Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Siyam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Maha Thera today. They discussed the current political situation and the status of the economy. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Blooming season starts...

This is the season when Robarosiya flowers are in full bloom. The picture shows several areas glowing with Robarosiya flowers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sri Lanka Air Force gears up for CADE 2024

The Sri Lanka Air Force is preparing for the Colombo Air Show and Defence Exhibition (CADE 2024) to demonstrate air power and stimulate tourism and investment. Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa announced that the five-day event will take place from May 29 to June 2 at the Galle Face and Colombo Port City.

Eid-ul-Fitr festival at Galle Face Green

Muslims gathered at Galle Face Green in Colombo this morning to attend Eid prayers as the holy fasting month of Ramadan came to an end. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Streets bustle for New Year shopping

The streets of Colombo and its suburbs bustled with crowds as people flocked for their New Year shopping, eagerly preparing for the festivities of Ramadan, Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe