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

Independence Day rehearsals

The Sri Lankan security forces staged rehearsal yesterday at the Independence Square in preparation for the 74th Independence Day celebrations. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ahead of Independence Day…

The vendors in Colombo were also seen selling national flags for the Independence Day celebration. Tailors were also seen making National Flags at a small shop in Colombo. Sri Lanka will celebrate its 74th Independence Day on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Lebanon bound troops present salute to Army Chief

The Passing out Parade of the 13th Force Protection Company (FPC), bound for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), together with women soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) presented the customary salute to the Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva during a formal arrangement, held at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental Headquarters at Panagoda. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Distribution of seeds and plants...

The distribution of seeds and plants under the Saubhagya Home Garden Project was launched yesterday under the patronage of MP Madhura Withanage in Kotte. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

No justice yet…

A demonstration was held outside the Fort Railway Station today to draw attention to the killing of several journalists in Sri Lanka where leaflets were distributed to the public calling for support to ensure justice for the journalists. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachci

Beetroot smuggled inside potato shipment seized

A large stock of beetroot worth over Rs.3.2 million, which had been smuggled into the country concealed inside a shipment of potatoes against the import laws, was seized by Sri Lanka Customs today. The stock which weighed 16,000 metric tons of beetroot was hidden inside a 40-foot reefer container filled with another 44,000 metric tons of potatoes. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Honorary title decreed on Ven. Palatuwe Jinaratana Thera

Venerable Palatuwe Jinaratana Thera, a resident monk of Colombo Gangarama Vihare, and the Principal of Jinaratana Technical Institute was decreed the honorary title “Pravachana Keerthi Shri Chandraratana.’’ The priests of Malwattu Chapter and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene handed over the documents in connection with the title and the appointment. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Resolve our salary issues...

Railway Workers Collective staged a protest in front of the Railways Department in Maradana today over some demands including resolving their salary issues and abolishing the post of Technical Assistant. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Road to Ratmalana airport gets facelift...

Following instructions from the Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday, the Road Development Authority (RDA) has initiated the completion and upgrading of the access road to the Ratmalana airport today. Yesterday, the Minister instructed the RDA to complete repairs to the access road within 20 days. Pix by Samantha Perera

Reinstate zoo DG

All Ceylon Zoological Gardens Employees Union and Zoolical Gardens Podu Sevaka Sangamaya and the Veterinarian Association of Dehiwala zoo staged a protest calling for reinstating National Zoological Gardens Director General Shermila Rajapaksa who stepped away from duties recently. Some trade unions at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Ridigama Safari Park also joined their colleagues and staged simultaneous protests placing similar demand.

Hospital for Airmen

A foundation stone was laid by Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) for the construction of a hospital for the Sri Lanka Air force. The event held at the Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Invoke blessings on the Nation

More than 1,000 Buddhist monks, drawn from all corners of the country, including the Maha Nayaka and Anunayaka Theras at the invitation of the Defence Ministry gathered at the BMICH premises last evening (26).

India’s 73rd Republic Day celebrations

Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka celebrated India’s 73rd Republic Day in Colombo yesterday. It was on 26 January 1950 that the world’s largest written constitution came into force.

Waiting for their medicines...

People are seen gathered in front of the Rajya Osu Sala (SPC) near Town Hall for their medicine requirements. The patients who were channeled by the general hospital doctors are sent to the Osu Sala to buy the required medicines. Today, a group of health workers, including 16 health unions, held a one-day strike based on several demands. The six-hour strike began at 7.00 am. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Tourists flock Arugambay beach

Many local and foreign tourists are seen flocking the Arugambay beach with the decline of Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Health Professionals in protest...

The Health Professionals’ Federation staged a protest in Colombo today over several demands including salary anomalies. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirsinghe

UNP rally at Galle Town

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday held a protest in the Galle Town with the partipation of Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and Chairman Vajira Abeywardene. The protesters marched towards the Galle bus stand and held a rally. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

iSmart classrooms for children

Colombo District parliamentarian Madura Vithanage to construct and donate 100 iSmart classrooms for 100 schools. The first phase of the project is to provide classrooms to three schools in the Kolonnawa electorate yesterday with smart TV and SLT Wi-Fi connectivity. The donation was made possible by his decentralized budget allocation. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Navy seize 300 kg of heroin

A boat carrying 300 kg of heroin was seized yesterday during a joint operation conducted by the State Intelligence and the Sri Lanka Navy in the southern seas. The arrests were made following a tip-off received by the Police Narcotics Bureau. Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna inspected the contraband of the seized narcotics. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Over to God...

Missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda’s wife, Sandya Eknaligoda, invoked the curse at the Maha Kali Amman Temple, Modara, on those who were responsible for the dissaperance of her husband. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

FSP vehicle procession in protest against Govt. moves

The Front Line Socialist Party (FSP) today staged a vehicle procession from Wellawatte to Galle, in protest against recent moves by the Government, which it claimed had increased the Cost of Living. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Getting ready for the next season

Farmers in Anamaduwa, Karuwalagaswewa, are seen repairing their paddy seed stocks to get ready for the next season. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Religious, spiritual activities at Ruwanweli Maha Seya

Devotees seen at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya (stupa) in Anuradhapura engaged in religious and spiritual observance. The Ruwanweli Maha Seya is one of the most sacred Buddhist religious places in Sri Lanka. Two quarts or one dona of the Buddha’s relics are enshrined in the stupa, making it the largest collection of his relics anywhere. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Inland Revenue Dept. employees protest

Employees of the Inland Revenue Department yesterday staged a protest over several demands, including the reduction of powers that the department currently has. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Opposition leader gets consumer report on LPG explosions

The All Ceylon Consumers Union recently presented its report on the recent LPG explosions to the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa The report also had the details of the victims of the recent gas explosions. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Demanding allowance

The senior citizens in the age group of 60 -70 who are still working in the Textile Industry Department, today staged a protest march from Colombo Fort to the Department demanding their monthly allowance to be paid on the 10th of every month. The payment of allowance has been approved by the cabinet of ministers to be paid for them for lifetime. However, the officers concerned are not bothered to look into their plight.

Inland Revenue Dept. employees protest

Employees of the Inland Revenue Department today staged a protest over several demands, including the reduction of powers that the department currently has. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

First-ever drone show attracts large crowds

The first-ever drone light show in Sri Lanka illuminated the Colombo night sky with over 150 drones over the weekend, at Galle Face Green. The drone show was launched by Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, and attended by State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development D.V. Chanaka. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

’Dog show’

The ’Dog show’ organized by the Ceylon Kennel Club was held today at the Excel World Entertainment Park where dogs of different breeds were present. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja