'Colombo Int'l Book Fair' kicks off at BMICH

Sri Lanka’s largest book exhibition, ’Colombo International Book Fair’, commenced today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The book fair organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association will be held until October 1 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Pushpa wins award from Britain

National Hospital, Colombo Chief Nurse Training Officer Pushpa Ramya De Soyza, who won two international evaluation awards for ’’the most powerful and influential woman in the world’’ by the British Parliament and the country’s Global Chamber of Commerce, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Antarctica blossoms with vibrant flowers

Plants in Antarctica are growing more quickly due to climate change, which could represent a potential tipping point for the region’s changing ecosystem.

Food Fiesta at J’pura University

A ’Food Fiesta’ was held at Sri Jayawardanapura University this evening. The event was organized by Japura Tourism, the official tourism club of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science of the University. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Another building for Apeksha Hospital...

The foundation stone was laid today for the new four-story building of the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital for children with the help of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devela Fund and the labour contribution of the Sri Lanka Air Force. Buddhist monks, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Presidential Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake, State Minister Sashendra Rajapaksa, Basnayaka Nilame Dishan Gunasekara, and several others participated in the event.

Inter-School Drama Competition

The Inter-School Drama Competition organized by the YMCA and Rotary Club Colombo North which got off the ground on Tuesday at Lionel Wendt has captured the attention of drama lovers in Colombo.

Families of the Disappeared hand over missive

The Families of the Disappeared handed over a missive to the country head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the British High Commission Colombo today (21) requesting them to pay attention to the abduction and the disappearance of 11 persons including youth by some officers of Sri Lanka Navy. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Plight of jumbos…

A group staged a demonstration outside the Wildlife Ministry urging the authorities to take sustainable remedies to save the lives of elephants in Sri Lanka. The demonstrators held banners with pictures of elephants which had died recently. According to statistics, at least 250 elephants have been killed so far this year in Sri Lanka due to an array of reasons including gunshots and electrocution. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

'A Vision for a new Sri Lanka' book launched...

The book launch of the Factum Foreign Policy Review “A Vision for a new Sri Lanka” took place yesterday (19), at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute in Colombo. The author of the book, Uditha Devapriya, presented a copy of the book to Sagala Ratnayaka, the President’s Senior Advisor on National Security and Presidential Chief of Staff. Pix Nisal Baduge

Showcasing the vibrant youth

The final-year students of the Faculty of Visual Arts of the Visual and Performing Arts University staged a degree show today at the JD Art Gallery. The exhibition consists of painting, ceramics, printmaking, visual communication designs, sculpture, history and theory of art, multidisciplinary designs, textile and wearable arts, and multimedia arts.

Cleaning Mt. Lavinia beach

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka by cleaning the Mount Lavinia beach and training locals to become professional life savers. The programmes were launched together with the Sri Lanka Life Saving Voluntary Organization yesterday. US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, and MPs Chandima Weerakody and Velukumar participated in the programme. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

I can’t bear it any longer!

A playful polar bear cub has been caught causing mischief in a series of sweet snaps - while its long-suffering mother bear appears to be at her wits’ end.

Loans to micro, small, medium scale enterprises

The Industrial Development Fund, in collaboration with the Industrial Development Board under the Ministry of Industries and the Regional Development Bank, has granted loans to micro, small and medium scale enterprises to support their developments. A maximum loan of Rs. 500,000 was provided to 25 selected individuals.

Danushka walks with companion

Danushka Gunathilaka, who is facing allegations of rape following an international sporting event in Sydney, was seen entering the court complex hand in hand with a blonde woman. The woman accompanying him is not the complainant. The anticipated four-day trial is scheduled to commence on Monday morning before Judge Sarah Huggett. (Photo credit: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard)

Thai food festival in Colombo....

The Thai food festival organized by the Thai Embassy in Colombo is currently being held at Siam Nivasa C.W.W. Kannagara Mawatha, Colombo 7, and will end this this evening. Thai cuisines and other Asian foods are on displace at the festival. Pix by Kithsir De Mel

Offerings of alms bowls, robes

A special ceremony was held at the Gangarama Temple with the presence of India Nepal Overseas Dharamadutha monks and Abot of Siddharth Rajamandir Monastery of India, where 1,600 alms bowls and robes were offered to the Sri Lankan Sanga. Deputy Incumbent of the Gangarama Temple Venerable Kirinde Assaji Thera was also present at the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Clear vision from Lotus Tower...

With the decision taken by the Environment Ministry and the Central Environment Authority over the protection of the environment and emission testing, the air in Colombo city has become breathable and clear.

CWE employees protest...

The employees of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) staged a protest at the Ministry of Trade over the decision to send 292 employees on compulsory leave from September 30, according to the restructuring of the CWE. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Demanding to resolve salary anomalies…

A group of executive employees of the public service staged a protest outside the Finance Ministry urging the authorities to address the salary anomalies. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

All under one roof...

The ’Solar Energy Expo 2023’ and ’Kedella Home and Construction Show 2023’ opened yesterday at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Convention Hall (BMICH), Colombo. All the services required in the construction industry are available in the exhibition under one roof. They will remain open to the public till September 17. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Northern lights captured

Seeing the Northern Lights is something that features on many people’s bucket lists. And if you’re lucky, you could tick it off your list tonight. A photographer couldn’t believe his luck when he snapped spectacular photos of the aurora from Cornwall last night. (Daily Mail)

Manusha meets Korean Minister

Korean Minister of Labor and Employment, Lee Jung-Sik, who is in Sri Lanka fora two-day official visit had a meeting with Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Promotion Manusha Nanayakkara.During the meeting, Minister Jung-Sik assured Minister Nanayakkara that necessary steps will be taken to create new employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers in Korea and to increase the number of job opportunities provided by Korea.

Fans flock around World Cup Trophy

Fans were seen gathering to witness the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Trophy, which is made available for public display at the World Trade Center in Colombo, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, the public will also get the opportunity to view the trophy at the One Galle Face Mall from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

National Prisoners’ Day…

The National Ceremony to mark the Prisoners’ Day was held at the Public Library recently under the patronage of Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

Hands off Samurdhi, EPF, ETF…

A group of employees representing several trade unions staged a protest outside Sethsiripaya today (13) urging the authorities not to meddle with the Samurdhi, the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF). Pix by Nisal Baduge

“Do you sleep well now’’?

The Hatton Plantations PLC, as one of the leading contributors to the G & G Group of companies, organized the Heart-to-Heart Conversation with Sadguru Madhusudan Sai programme hosted by Health Minister Keheliya Rabukwella, which was held at the Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo on Monday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Gambling with life...

Many people were inconvenienced by the railway trade union action and the risks they are forced to take are clearly seen through the pictures of people travelling on the roof of these train compartments. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi, Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Kithsiri de Mel

Work on Kohuwala flyover comes to standstill

The construction of the Kohuwala flyover has come to a standstill due to the non-availability of funds. Director General of the Road Development Authority A.l.V.S. Weerakoon said the Hungarian government has suspended its financial aid resulting in the suspension of the construction work of the flyover. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Thick mist covers Colombo

Colombo was coverded with a thick mist in the morning with cloudy skys. According to the National Meteorological Centre showers would occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Illict fags, large Karunka transshipment seized

The items siezed during two separate raids were displayed to the media at the Grayline Container Yard in Grandpass. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe