Intervene to halt illegal fishing in Lankan waters...

The All Ceylon Fisheries Association today staged a protest opposite the Fisheries Ministry demanding the government to intervene to stop illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishermen. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Waiting for medicine...

People are seen waiting in long queues at the Rajya Osu Sala near Town Hall in Colombo due to the strike initiated by health sector workers yesterday. Pix by Nisal Baduge

People get booster shots against COVID-19

People are seen in a hurry to get their booster shots against COVID-19 at the vaccination centre at Viharamahadevi Park today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

NVQ Awards

NVQ Certificate Awarding Ceremony of the Association of Pharmaceutical Assistants held at the BMICH today. State Minister Seetha Arambepola participated in the event as the Chief Guest. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Teachers protest...

The Priven Teachers’ Association today staged a protest opposite the Education Ministry in Battaramulla calling the authorities to grant them the entitled leave and resolve salary issues. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Agitation over unmet demands….

A protest march organized by the students of the University of Kelaniya was held in Colombo where they marched towards Kelaniya via Kiribathgoda. The protestors were also seen jumping over the gate of the Administration building of the University to show their agitation over unmet demands including an increase in Mahapola scholarship. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Exam begins

The 2021(2022) G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination commenced today and students were seen arriving at schools adhering to health guidelines. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Lord Marland in Temple Trees

Lord Marland, Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council was received by both the President and Prime Minister at the Temple Trees to discuss substantive economic and geopolitical matters; highling the importance Sri Lanka pays to the 2.4 billion people strong Commonwealth, soon to become the second largest economic group in the world.

Hospital services crippled

Hospital services throughout the country were crippled due to the indefinite strike action launched by 17 trade unions attached to the health sector over seven demands. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

COVID guidelines ignored...

Hundreds of people are seen in the picture, having ignored the social distancing norms or wearing masks as they are enjoying their leisure over the weekend at Galle Face Green. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Stop selling national assets...

The Inter University Bhikkhu Federation staged a protest in Colombo urging the authorities to stop selling national assets to foreign countries such as China, US and India. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Ranjan’s well-wishers in protest...

A group of people who gathered outside the Welikada prison in anticipation of the release of former MP Ranjan Ramanayake yesterday staged a protest and had to go back in disappointment after hearing that he would not be released. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Blood donation campaign...

A blood donation campaign has been organized to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Isipathana College, Colombo recently at the College premises from 8 am to 2 pm. An all-night pirith chanting ceremony, an alms giving as well as a blood donation campaign have been organized under the guidance of Principal Oshara Panditharathna. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

74th National Independence Day

The 74th National Independence Day Celebration was held at the Independence Square in Colombo today showcasing a military parade and a cultural pageant. The celebrations were held under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Foreign diplomats, Ministers, MPs, Police and Armed forces personnel also participated in the celebrations. Pix by Jayamal Chandrasiri and Eshan Fernando

Prisoners released on Independence Day

Some 197 prisoners were released from the Welikada Prison in Colombo on a presidential pardon today to mark the 74th Independence day celebrations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Great bots of fire!

The first ever underwater relay of the Olympic torch between two robots was successfully performed in China on Wednesday, a video has revealed.

Independence Day fly-past...

The Air Force fly-past is captured on the camera while taking part in the 74th Independence Day celebrations held at the Independece Sqaure today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

132 years of academic excellence

The 132nd anniversary of Kotte Ananda Shastralaya was celebrated yesterday with an all-night pirith chanting ceremony and alms giving to invoke blessings. The annual commemoration was held under the patronage of the school Principal Priyashantha Maddumarala and OBA President Brig. Bohran with the participation of students and well-wishers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

BMICH hosts Industry 2022

The ’’Industry-2022’’ National Industrial Exhibition was inaugurated at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (MBICH). Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa Inaugurated the event. The exhibition is dedicated to more than 20 industries and will be held until Sunday (6). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Protest by unemployed graduates

Unemployed graduates today engaged in a protest march from Colombo Fort to the Presidential Secretariat demanding immediate employment for all graduates. Pix Nisal Baduge

Invoke blessings on the nation

A pirith ceremony was held yesterday at the Independence Square in view of the 74th Independence Day, which is scheduled to be held tomorrow (4) and to invoke blessings on the country. The pirith chanting ceremony held under the patronage of State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa. Following that, alms giving was held at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Independence Day Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the 74th Independence Day celebrations was held at Independence Square today with the participation of members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defense Force, the National Cadet Corps and a group of school children. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Pregnant nurses in protest

A group of pregnant nurses attached to the Colombo National Hospital staged a protest outside the hospital today urging authorities to implement a special leave procedure for pregnant nurses and not to summon COVID-19 infected nurses to work. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

One million tree planting program launched

The inauguration ceremony to plant one million trees was held at the Slave Island Police station today. This program was jointly conducted by the Sri Lanka Police and Lions District 306 B2 in line with the 74th Independence Day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Third dose rollout at DRP

The Sri Lanka Army Medical team yesterday conducted a program to administer the third dose of booster vaccination for the staff of the Department of Registration of Persons (DRP) at Battaramulla. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Remove GSMB Director General...

The Joint Trade Union Alliance yesterday staged a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat calling on the President to remove the current Director General of the National Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau (GSMB), whom they accused of occupying his office by force. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

New bridge across Nawala canal in Rajagiriya

Sixty per cent of the construction work of the new bridge across the Nawala canal in Rajagiriya as a solution to the heavy traffic jam in Ethul Kotte-Nawala road has been completed and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando instructed officials to expedite the work to complete the construction to eliminate heavy traffic congestion during rush hours.

Commemorating slain and disappeared journalists

The Sri Lanka Young journalists Association and Journalists for Rights organized an event today to commemorate the journalists who have been slain and disappeared within the month of January during the past few years. A women, who is a relative of a slain journalist is pictured here with a lit candle in memory of her loved one. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Black Drongo celebrate 31st Anniversary of Glory

“Black Drongos” celebrate 31st Anniversary of Glory on February 1, 2022. On February 1,1991, four F 7 BS fighters, one FT 7 B trainer and two FT 5 trainers arrived in Sri Lanka and this gave birth to the No. 5 Fighter Squadron. Squadron Leader HD Abeywickrema was appointed as its first Commanding Officer. The present Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana was also a founder member of the No .5 Fighter Squadron.

Tourist arrivals...

Large number of foreigners are seen taking a stroll in the City of Colombo today. Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 76,538 visitors to the country for the first 29 days of the month, out of which, the majority was from the Russian Federation. During this period, 12,368 tourists came from Russia, 11,028 from India, and 7,427 from Ukraine. Some 6,929 tourists travelled from the UK, 4,902 from Germany, and 3,337 from France. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana