Step down if can't provide relief

Aragalaya activists yesterday engaged in a protest near the parliament roundabout demanding a burden-free life for them and for the people in the country. They also demanded the government should step down if they are unable to provide the relief to the people and stop suppressing them. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

St. Joseph’s edge Wesley

St. Joseph’s College edged out Wesley College 16 points to 13 to qualify for the final of the President’s Trophy inter-schools knockout rugby tournament. St. Joseph’s scored a goal and three penalities, while Wesley managed two tries and a penalty. Pix by Kushana Pathiraja

The ‘grand old party’ celebrates its 76th anniversary

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena with senior UNP party officials and supporters at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, where the UNP celebrated its 76th anniversary today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Minor floods in Malwana

Several low-lying areas in Malwana in the Gampaha District experienced minor floods following the increase in water levels of the Kelani river due to heavy rains. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Intl. Young Police Officers’ Seminar held in SL for the first time

The 6th International Young Police Officers’ Seminar organized by the International Police Association’s Sri Lanka Branch was held at the Special Task Force Katukurunda Training Camp under the guidance of IGP CD Wickramaratne and under the direct supervision STF Commandant DIG Waruna Jayasundara. This was the first time such a seminar was held in Sri Lanka.

SLIM brand excellence awards briefing

A SLIM brand excellence awards briefing session was held yesterday describing the main categories, including Product Brand of the Year, Service Brand of the Year, Global Brand of the Year, Local Brand of the Year and Export Brand of the Year. The event was held at the JAIC Hilton, Colombo. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Uthara Sabagaya launched...

The Uthara Sabagaya, a new political alliance, was launched by several parties and former ministers at the Youth Centre in Maharagama. Politicians including Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudeva Nanayakakra and Ven. Athureliye Rathana Thera were present at the launch. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Seized..

The Ragama police seized three-wheelers, motorcycles, and mobile phones worth over Rs. 5 million that were stolen during the past several months. Two suspects were arrested over the theft of those. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Increase petrol quota for three-wheelers

Three-wheeler owners today staged a protest in front of the Power and Energy Ministry demanding to dispense five litres of fuel daily instead of the present procedure of providing five litres per week. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pettah vendors lament

Vendors in Pettah said they are finding it very difficult to sell their products and accessories due to the escalation of prices after the government’s decision to ban importing 300 consumer items including mobile phones and accessories. Pix by Nisal Baduge

GR returns

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport a amidst a heavy security presence. Several ministers arrived at the BIA to welcome the former President.

Quadruplets born to a 24 year old mother in Puttalam

A 24-year-old mother of Musthiyapuram in Paladiya has given birth to quadruplets at the Puttalam hospital.

New Political Movement formed

The 13 member group of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) that became independent and detached itself from the party launched a New Political Movement on last Friday (2). The party was named the ’Freedom People’s Congress’, Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Blood donation camp...

On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the Kotuguda Sri Rahula National School in Gampaha, a blood donation campaign has been organised today at the school under the initiative of the school Principal Thilakman Pathmasiri Fernando and the teaching staff and with the participation of area residents. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

IMF concludes mission

The IMF mission concluded its staff mission yesterday after signing a staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan government. The officials held a press conference in the morning to brief the media about the staff agreement and the way forward for Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Wesley College trounce Science College

Wesley College romped to a 38-00 win over Science College in the fourth quarter-final of the President’s Trophy schools rugby knockout tournament. Wesley led 05-00 at the half-time whistle before shifting up a gear to score 33 points in the second half. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Expediting Arbitration Rules

The Sri Lanka National Arbitration Centre (SLNAC) yesterday held an event to educate the business, legal, and professional communities about the ’SLNAC Expedited Arbitration Rules’ while enabling the arbitration process to be expedited, cost-effectively, and with confidentiality. The SLNAC also took action to promote Sri Lanka as an international commercial dispute resolution hub in order to gain foreign exchange to the country.

Donation from Uber Lanka to Red Cross Society

Uber Sri Lanka today donated US$ 200,000 to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to help the vulnerable communities affected by the economic crisis. The donation will be utilised to distribute food and life-saving medicines across the country. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

65th Malaysia National Day celebrated

The 65th Malaysia National Day was celebrated in Colombo today with the participation of the Malaysian nationals living in Sri Lanka with the distinguished presence of Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tan Yang Thai. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

NIMH’s Mental Health Helpline via WhatsApp

Airtel Lanka, in collaboration with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), announced a major expansion of the 1926 mental health helpline through the WhatsApp service. Anyone in need of mental health assistance can reach NIMH’s Mental Health Helpline via WhatsApp on 075 555 1926. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Pay our wages....

Several employees of North Sea Limited today staged a protest in front of the Fisheries Ministry for not paying their monthly salaries and failure to remit the deducted contributions to EPF and ETF. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Customs seize illegally imported scrap metal

Officers attached to the Central Intelligence Directorate (CID) of Sri Lanka Customs today seized more than 140 metric tons of scrap metal, which was restricted by the government. While attempting to smuggle the scrap metal out of the country illegally, it was taken to customs. The contents of the 20-foot container was declared to customs as natural rubber. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Tear gassed...

The police fired tear gas on students of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) who were protesting near the Technical College Junction in Maradana this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Elephantiasis clinic at Gampaha...

A medical clinic was conducted at Kiribathgoda Hospital to diagnose possible infections of the elephantiasis treponema among people, as there is a steady increase in both elephantiasis and dengue disease. The clinic was conducted by the elephantiasis control unit at Ragama by the Public Health Field Officer (PHFO) Nirosh Madushan and with the support of the Ragama Gramaniladhari (181) Saumya Somasiri. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

To face food crisis...

As a solution to the food crisis that could strike the country in the future, cultivating of food crops has started in the lands owned by the Colombo Municipal Council area. Simultaneously, cultivation of vegetables in the land belongs to the CMC took place today with the grant from Colombo Mayoress Rosy Senanayaka. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Roller-Skating Championship...

The National Roller-Skating Championship tournament held for the third time at Kelani Vihara Premises recently. The tournament was conducted with the participation of both boys and girls under the age limits of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Pay our August salary.....!

A group of workers today staged a protest in front of the State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka (SECSL), Colombo against inefficient management and demanding their August salary. Pix Nisal Baduge

Chinese Scholarship Awards

The Chinese Government Scholarship Certificate Award Ceremony held at the Chinese Cultural Centre today in Colombo under the auspices of the Qi Zhenhong, the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

General Shavendra Silva bestowed with honorary title

In recognition of services to the country, religion, and national security, Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva was bestowed with the honorary title of “Mahamanya Prathapadi-Keshwara” by the Asgiri Maha Viharaya at the Asgiri Maha Viharaya in Kandy yesterday.

Joes qualify for semis of President’s Trophy

St. Joseph’s College qualified for the semi-finals of the President’s Trophy Schools Rugby Knockout Tournament beating St. Anthony’s College Kandy 34-14 at the Royal Sports Complex today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja