Social distancing goes for a toss...

People have started gathering at liquor shops across the country in large numbers, following Government’s decision to open countrywide liquor shops. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

157th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala

The 157th birth anniversary of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala was celebrated at the Maligakanda Mahabodhi Agrasrawaka Maha Viharaya this morning. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Medal Awarding Parade of 6th Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent

The United Nation Service Medal Awarding Parade of 6th Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent, Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was held recently at the Contingent premises in Bria, Central African Republic with all necessary precautionary measures against the COVID 19 pandemic.

'Laksala’ outlet now in Middle East

The signing of the Business Agreement to open the first `Laksala’ franchise outlet in the Middle East was held at the Chairman’s Office in Colombo 07 yesterday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Back to the hot seat…

Ajith Nivard Cabraal who resigned as an MP, assumed duties as the 16th Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today. Cabraal served as the twelfth Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, from July 2006 to January 2015. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Bohra Community continues its ’Project Rise’ to distribute food

Members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community in Sri Lanka distributed cooked food to health workers and army personnel who were involved in the vaccination drive in the Western Province today. The initiative is part of a world wide project launched by the International Dawoodi Bohra Spiritual Leader, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin under the ’Project Rise’ program to ensure citizens receive their meals during the pandemic.

Milk scarcity...

Considering the scarcity of milk powder in the country, the Highland Milk Powder outlet in Narahenpita planned to distribute milk powder packets for the people in the area. As such, only two packets of milk powder were sold to each customer. A long queue bears witness to it at the outlet. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Vaccine rollout in full swing

The COVID vaccination drive is in full swing in the country, having completed over 50 percent of the country’s total population with both doses. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Free Rapid Antigen Tests in Colombo

Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) were conducted in the Colombo Municipal Council area today at the Mobile Medical Laboratory at Campbell Grounds, Borella. Laboratory inspectors of the Health Ministry conduct the tests from Monday to Saturday at 9.00 am to 11.00 am. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Post offices busy again

With the postal department deciding to open all post and sub post offices in the country four days per week, the post offices have turned busy again with some pending work. Pix by Samantha Perera

People who bear the brunt...

The daily income earners are the ones who bear the brunt of the present lockdown. Against this backdrop, a vendor who looked disabled was seen eagerly expecting a customer in Pettha. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

PCR tests on RPS staffers

The staff members of the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPS) were subject to PCR and Antigen Tests as the last T20 match between Sri Lanka and South Africa is to be held today. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

CAA Inspection...

Western Province, Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Deputy Director Abdul Azees Jawzar and officials today visited the sugar and rice wholesalers and retailers at 5th Cross Street, Pettah, to inspect whether the goods are being sold at controlled prices stipulated by the government. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

New Kelani Bridge lights up...

The New Kelani Bridge, where construction has almost completed, was lit up in stunning colours last evening. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

They also face the risk, don’t they?

Construction workers are engaged in construction work despite the countrywide quarantine curfew bearing the risk of COVID-19. Pix by Samantha Perera

Large sugar stocks seized

A warehouse with 2,400 metric tons of sugar belonging to a leading company in Colombo was sealed by the officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Vaccination drive continues...

Vaccination rollouts are being carried out in the Colombo district at the Vihara Maha Devi Park and at Diyatha Uyana at Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

Lonely Colombo at night under lockdown

A van is seen driving through a street in Colombo this evening, as the city is deserted during the coronavirus lockdown. Pix by Samantha Perera

Bitter life in Pettah

The pictures show how people live with great difficulties during the quarantine curfew. The lockdown has badly affected the daily income earners. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Local invention to fight COVID-19

Two machines have been developed by Buddhika Perera, a resident of Piliyandala, who is an Electrical technician by profession to fight COVID-19. One of the machines destroys airborne viruses and bacteria in a matter of seven seconds while the other machine destroys viruses and bacteria on money and other documents. Pix by Samantha Perera

Begging while maintaining social distance

He is poor and uneducated, but was sensible enough to maintain social distance when begging. This man was spotted in Colombo on September 09, 2021. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

STF in action

The Special Task Force (STF) personnel launched a special operation yesterday in search of individuals who violate quarantine and curfew rules. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Equipment handed over for COVID patients

Monks at the Baraneskanda Purana Viharaya, Pilapitiya, Kelaniya handed over beds and other equipment to the Sri Lanka Army to be utilised for COVID-19 patients. The donation was done in remembrance of Chief Incumbent of the Baraneskanda Purana Viharaya Ven. Kahatawila watte Palitha Thero. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Queuing up for milk powder....

People are seen queued up to buy milk powder at Narahempita economic centre soon after the news broke out that quarantine curfew was extended till September 21. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Galle Face Development work is on...

Development work on Galle Face continues despite quarantine curfew. Picture shows the Naval personnel are busy at work. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Out for a duck?

This is the moment two rival yacht clubs faced off for very unusual cricket game, on a sandbank in the middle of the Solent, yesterday morning. (Daily Mail)

Inoculation drive continues...

The vaccination drive for those between 20 to 29 is being held at the Diyatha Uyana where youths in large numbers had turned up to get themselves vaccinated today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

More oxygen supplied to NHSL

Oxygen is seen being supplied to the National Hospital in Colombo from a bowser. The Government has decided to import liquid medicinal Oxygen to address a possible shortage of oxygen in the country. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

BBS donates medical equip. to Habarana hospital

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera donated medical equipment to Habarana Rural Hospital, including an ECG unit urgently required to treat COVID patients. The medical equipment were donated following a request by the chief prelate of the Habarana Rajamaha Viharaya.

We are losing too many...

A monk goes past a container, outside the Colombo mortuary where the remains of Covid victims are stored and taken to be cremated. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi