PM distributes deeds to landless in Moneragala

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in several events in Moneragala, on Saturday, including distribution of land deeds to the landless families. Minister of Public Administration Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Affairs Gayantha Karunatilleke and Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri also participated in the events. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Colombo Dockyard delivers ‘KDDI Cable Infinity’

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) delivered the first ever modern cable laying vessel built for Kokusai Cable Ship Co. Ltd (KCS) of Japan on Friday. Ministers Sagala Ratnayake, Patali Champika Ranawaka and officials of the CDPLC and KCS attended the event. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sancharaka Udawa 2019

Sancharaka Udawa 2019 was launched today at the BMICH under the patronage of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga and Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Harith Perera.

PM at Mallika Navodya school

A new building of Mallika Navodya school was declared open yesterday by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Prime Minister spent some time with the children after opening the new building.

Vigil to commemorate Easter attack victims

A vigil organised by the opposition was held at the Vihara Mahadevi Park in Colombo today to commemorate the Easter Sunday attack victims. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa also attended the event.

Isura Devapriya assumes duties as CEA chairman

Former Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya, who was appointed Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) yesterday, assumed duties at the Authority today after observing religious observances. Several UPFA MP including Mahinda Amaraweera, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Western Province Governor A.J.M Muzammil were present at the event.

Let’s commemorate Student Heroes

Socialist Students Union commemorated the students who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for free education. The event was held at the Public Library Colombo.

Tense situ at Fort Railway Station

A tense situation erupted at the Fort Railway Station following the cancellation of several train services from 7.00 pm, hours before the 48-hour train strike was launched from midnight today. Inconvenienced people were seen stranded at the Fort Railway Station while the police officers were seen trying to control the situation. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Against privatization of Sevanagala Sugar factory

A group of employees of the Sevanagala Sugar factory staged a protest at the Parliament Roundabout today urging the authorities not to privatize the factory.

PM at Homagama

Samurdhi was given to new recipients in the Colombo District at a ceremony held in Homagama yesterday under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Ministers like Ravi Karunanayake, Daya Gamage, Non Cabinet Minister Harsha De Silva and State Minister Eran Wickramaratne were present at the ceremony.

SL signs MOC with Japan to send skilled workers

A Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed between Sri Lanka and Japan today enabling Sri Lanka to send an unlimited number of skilled workers to Japan for a period of 10 years.

Ranvir arrives at Colombo harbour

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Ranvir arrived at the Colombo harbour on a goodwill visit yesterday (18). The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions on her arrival.

Ice cream dansala

An ice cream dansala organised by the Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Ministry’s Tourism Division’s welfare society was held outside the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation in Colombo today.

Protesters demand release of arrested writer

The Socialist Equality Party today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station in Colombo urging the government to immediately release the writer Shakthika Sathkumara and to build an international coalition to fight internet censorship. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Army donates two ultrasound scanners to Apeksha Hospital

The Sri Lanka Army today donated two ultrasound scanners to the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital. Each member of the Army had volunteered to donate a day’s pay to purchase the machines. Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army, participated in the ceremony which was held to hand over the scanners. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Deploying ‘Raavana 1’ into orbit

The deployment of Sri Lanka’s first satellite Raavana 1, designed and developed by two Sri Lankan research engineers, into orbit can be viewed live from 3.30 pm onwards today by logging into the ACCIMT web (http://www.accimt.ac.lk/) site or directly through following the YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/rrw3cMw10nQ).

Poson Perahera of Sri Dalada Maligawa

Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. illuminates Thanthirimale

Wijeya Newspapers Ltd illuminated the historic Thanthirimale Rajamaha Vihare Chaithya for the second day in a row. WNL illuminated historic site for the 16th consecutive time this year. Pix by Ishan Sanjeewa

Poson Illuminations

Pandals and other decorations have come up all over the country during the Poson Poya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Mihintale Maha Seya lights up

The historic Mihintale Maha Seya after being illuminated in view of Poson Poya. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, along with several other ministers, participated in the illumination ceremony. Pic by Pradeep Pathirane

Dansals in Colombo

Several dansals were conducted around the Colombo city to mark the Poson Poya Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Poson Poya Day

Devotees are seen taking part in religious observances at the Gangarama Temple at Hunupitiya in Colombo in light of the Poson Poya Day which falls today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Monks in ‘Pindapatha’

A Pindapatha procession attended by 75 Buddhist monks from Batepola Junction to Sri Bodhi Rukkharama Temple at Amunukumbura, was held today. The Pindapatha ceremony was organised by the Batepola ‘Siyane’ Welfare Society. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

PM at ’Dansala’

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attended a Poson Dansala held outside the Temple Trees this morning. Pix by Nimalasiri Edirisinghe

Samurdhi officers in protest

Samurdhi officers today staged a protest outside the Sethsiripaya Battaramulla over several demands.

President calls on Tajik President

President Maithripala Sirisena called on Tajikistan President, Emomali Rahmon, in Dushanbe today. President Sirisena said he held very fruitful exchange of ideas with Tajik President Rahmon. “He has excellent views on security of small nations and confidence building measures to prevent conflicts,” he said.

Protesters demand govt. to immediately takeover NFTH

The Inter-Company Employees Union today staged a protest outside the Health Ministry in Colombo demanding the government to immediately takeover the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH).

Anti-govt. protest by JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday staged a protest march against the government from Technical Junction to Colombo Fort where they held a rally. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith re-consecrates St. Anthony’s Church

The St. Anthony’s Church Kochikade which was one of the locations targeted by bombers on Easter Sunday, was re-consecrated by Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith after renovation, and opened to the public today. Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo Maxwell Silva and J.D. Anthony Jayakody and several politicians participated in it. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Rain, rain, go away

During the heavy rains experienced in Colombo, many people were inconvenienced. A lady was seen struggling to get hold of her umbrella which was caught in heavy wind. Pix by Nisal Baduge