Keep your hands off our wages...

State Engineering Corporation employees today protested in front of the corporation’s premises against slashing their salaries in half. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Diesel for private buses, school vans

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Maharagama depot today issued diesel for private buses and school vans at the current rates. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Queues for fuel...

Lengthening queues are seen in front of petrol sheds today. Although fuel supply was streamlined, some sheds still run out of stocks. Pix by Nisal Baduge

UN to make global humanitarian appeal for SL

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with United Nations Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy yesterday (7) to finalise plans regarding the UN’s Global Humanitarian Appeal for Sri Lanka.

Tree planting ceremony...

A tree-planting ceremony was held at the ’ITC Colombo One Hotel and Residences’ in view of the World Environment day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Professional Tour Guides Alliance protest in Colombo

The Professional Tour Guides Alliance held a protest today in Colombo calling for mending relations with Russia. Bilateral relations soured after the Colombo Commercial High Court issued an enjoining order against Russian airline ‘Aeroflot’. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SLAF launches ’Waga Sangramaya’

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) men and women implemented the “Waga Sangramaya” within SLAF establishments which is affiliated by the SLAF Agriculture Unit in order to elevate the National Food Production drive as a matter of priority by launching many pragmatic remedies.

Army Chief pays courtesies to Navy Commander

The Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters on Monday (6) extended a red carpet welcome to the 24th Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage when he made his first courtesy call on Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna, Commander of the Navy at his office after assumption of new office.

Ensure environmental justice!

The Association of Environmental Organizations (AEO) yesterday staged a protest at GotGoGama at the Galle Face Green, demanding the government to ensure environmental justice. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Overcrowded trains

Packed passenger trains are common features these days, as the picture shows one of the trains packed with excess passengers seen leaving Fort Railway Station yesterday. The panic driven commuters clung on to trains in fear of private buses would minimise operations from this morning. With the recent bus fare hike, people now turn to trains for their traveling needs. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Air Tractors at Ratmalana Int’l airport

Three aircraft (Air Tractors) owned by an Australian company arrived at the Colombo International Airport Ratmalana (CIAR) on Saturday (4) from Cocos Island-West Island Airport, Australia, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) said.

Dry rations for low-income families in Ragama

Essential dry rations were distributed among low-income families in the Telwatta Grama Niladhari divisions in Ragama by the Chief Prelate of the Rathna Sri Gnanarama Pothgul Viharaya in Narangoda Paluwa recently. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Bangladesh fire

A fire and a huge explosion have killed at least 34 people and injured hundreds more at a storage depot near the city of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Teachers’ Union protest

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) today held a demonstration in front of the Co-operative Development Dept. demanding to conduct election and to legalise the administration of the society. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

High fruit sales in Colombo

There was a hype of activity at fruit sales in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo yesterday with people tasting, barganing, and purchasing fruits despite the high cost of living. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Water from the Kelani river recedes

With the water levels of the Kelani river receding over the last day, The water from the Kelani river flows onto the Modara river mouth, and as seen gushing into the sea. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bengali tiger cubs attract visitors at Zoo...

The three-month-old Bengali tiger cubs were set for public viewing at the Dehiwala zoological gardens from today. The tiger cubs were born on March 5. The mother (Kella) and father (Robin) were both living in the Dehiwala zoo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Houses submerged due to heavy rains

The houses of the people in the New Colony Church Estate, in Wattala were submerged due to heavy rains received in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Presenting Letter of Credence

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne presented the Letter of Credence to the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni on May 9 who granted Royal Audience to accredit her as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Silent protest to free Ranjan

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) youth forum today engaged in a silent protest in front of the Welikada prison demanding the release of former MP Ranjan Ramanayake. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Demanding full monthly wages ...

State Engineering Corporation employees today staged a demonstration in front of the corporation against paying only half-month salaries for the month of May. They claimed that no date was given yet to settle the remaining half month’s wages. The employees said EPF and ETF were not paid. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Stop cruelty on children...

Several social activists today assembled to protest in front of the National Child Protection Authority, Sri Jayawardanapura, demanding take action be taken against recent widespread abuses on innocent children. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

To take wings...

People are seen queued up at the Immigration and Emigration Department to get their passports for immediate migration due to the present deteriorating economic situation in the country. These people expressed fears that the government would increase the amount for issuing passport - for both renewal, one-day and normal charges. Pix by Samantha Perera

Vikum Liyanage assumes office as new Army Chief

A formal ceremony was held at the Army Headquarters this morning as Lt. General Vikum Liyanage assumed duties as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. A Guard Turnout, presented by Gajaba Regiment troops saluted him in accordance with military traditions. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Riding purely on luck...

Though LITRO gas announced 50,000 domestic gas cylinders will be distributed today, people are still waiting in queues at Palawatte with their empty cylinders. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Army bids colourful farewell to Gen. Shavendra Silva

Military formalities, including a Guard-Turn Out and a colour-rich Guard of Honour saluted the outgoing 23rd Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Shavendra Silva at the formal farewell ceremony, held at the Army Headquarters this afternoon (31), amidst a representative gathering of senior officers and other ranks of the Army. (Pix by Kithsiri de Mel)

Rain is fine for some....

People are inconvenienced by heavy rains experienced in Colombo and suburbs. A group of Ordinary Level (O/L) students are seen walking in the pouring rain. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Stop smoking, save dollars...

Stop smoking, save dollars... Several social activist groups today staged a demonstration opposite the Fort Railway Station denouncing the use of tobacco, smoking cigarettes and the companies that produce them. They said the tobacco manufacturing companies are the main culprits that send several millions of local revenue out of the country. They reiterated that large amounts of money could be saved if people stop smoking.

Bicycles for port workers

The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) today presented 100 mountain bikes to Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) employees for their use within the port grounds. Pix by Pradeep Dilukshana

IUSF on public awareness campaign...

Members of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) today indulged in a pamphlet distribution campaign opposite the Fort Railway Station to create awareness among the general public about the misconduct of the government. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi