Aftermath of the flames...

The two factories which caught fire last night with the debris and chemical substances scattered around the area. Pix Nisal Baduge

Inviting anyone willing to support lesser known schools

Global Antonians on a request by the school authorities of Drayton Tamil Vidyalayam, Kotagala to support them with sports equipment, decided to oblige with the request.

Fire destroys two factories in Homagama

Massive fires have broken out at two factories in the Homagama industrial area this evening.

New SPC chairman assumes duties

Dr. Ajith Mendis assumed office as the new Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) today. He was the former Director General of Health Services and is also an experienced administrator in the field of health. Director General of Health Dr. Asela Gunawardena and a group of officials from the Ministry’s medical services were also present at the occasion.

Jathika Maha Kala Mangallaya

The ’Jathika Maha Kala Mangallaya’, a cultural event organized by the All Ceylon United Cultural Foundation, was held yesterday at the Public Library Auditorium under the patronage of its President, Dr. Kushan Jayaminda Silva. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Towards a drug-free environment...

The Gothatuwa Police Station organized an awareness-raising campaign on drugs and narcotics, specifically targeting individuals from rural areas who come to work in Colombo. The campaign aimed at educating and informing these individuals about the dangers and consequences of drug abuse and the importance of staying away from narcotics. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachci

Protest against charcoal factories

People of the Arambekema village in Thanamalvila staged a protest today on the Hambegamuwa road against the charcoal manufacturing factories adjoining their village.

Hashish seize inside dog food cans

Sri Lanka Customs today seized a stock of Hashish worth over Rs.10 million at the Central Mail Exchange (CME), which had been sent as dog food inside a parcel sent from Canada.

CWE Union Alliance protest over multiple demands

The CWE United Trade Union Alliance staged a protest outside the Sathosa head office over several demands including over not collecting Rs. 270 million from Lanka Sathosa and an appointment of a new chairman for Sathosa. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Britain’s biggest horse drive event

Hundreds of travellers have descended on the New Forest for the UK’s biggest horse drive event. Riders gathered in Totton, near Southampton, Hants, on Sunday before setting off for Balmer Lawn in Brockenhurst, some eight miles away. Along the route, spectators could enjoy the community’s distinctive carts as they were hauled along to the meeting point. Organisers have hailed it as ’the biggest and best drive’ to date. (Daily Mail)

Graduation...

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha presented certificates to individuals trained at the Roots Hair and Beauty Salon and Academy. This institution is endorsed by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. The certificate ceremony took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo.

MR leads the way

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa shows his sporting spirit at the annual Mahinda Rajapaksa Challenge Trophy Championship cricket tournament held at the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Stadium under his chairmanship, with the participation of Members of Parliament. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

“People’s Revolution”

Activists of the ’’People’s Revolution’’, led by the former army chief and parliamentarian Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, were seen holding placards during an anti-government protest in Colombo urging the government to put an end to the repression of anti-government protests, to safeguard democracy, and provide assistance to those battered by the economic crisis. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Tourists visit Independence Square

Foreign tourists in Sri Lanka walk through Independence Square in Colombo. Sri Lanka welcomed 30,303 tourists in the first few days of August, and the cumulative arrivals for the period from January 01 to August 06 were 798,216, according to data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Edu Expo 2023

Edu Expo 2023, an education and career fair, kicked off at the BMICH, Colombo, yesterday, showcasing to students the opportunities to obtain international qualifications in Sri Lanka and overseas. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Despite hot weather...

Despite the current hot weather in Sri Lanka, a group of school children who are in Colombo on an educational trip have fun today at Independence Square. Three-quarters of the children in South Asia are already facing dangerously high temperatures, the highest level worldwide, as the impact of climate change grows, the United Nations warned Monday. About 460 million children are exposed to extreme heat in South Asia. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Customs destroy counterfeit cigarettes

Sri Lanka Customs destroyed a large stock of smuggled counterfeit cigarettes worth over Rs. 748 million with crushing machines of the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) compound in Kotahena today.

MP Imtiaz Bakeer Markar launches the book ’’Sithamu’’

The book “Sithamu ( Let’s think ) written by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Imtiaz Bakeer Markar was launched at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) amidst a distinguished gathering today. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene. The book comprises the columns which have been written by the MP. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Manusha meets Poland's Public Transport Commission Chairman

Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara held a discussion with the Chairman of the Public Transport Commission in Poland where they discussed the potential Foreign Employment Opportunities for skilled workers from Sri Lanka within Poland’s public transport sector.

King Coconuts, cool drinks to the fore

People enjoying King Coconuts and cool drinks along the streets of Colombo to quench their thirst and refresh themselves in the hot weather. Colombo is also experiencing a dry spell, just like the other parts of the country. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Annual Aadi Vel festival held

The annual Aadi Vel Festival was held at the Sri Murugan Temple at Slave Island in Colombo today. Devotees in bright clothes take to the streets to hold chariot parades, traditional singing, tinkling bells, and a Kavadi ceremonial offering dance. During the festival, they often perform rituals by piercing their cheeks and other body parts to fulfill vows. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Selfie time with Sachin...

Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar took a selfie with a group of children during his United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) goodwill visit to Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

56th ASEAN Day celebrated

The 56th ASEAN Day was celebrated by the Heads of Missions of the ASEAN Member States in Sri Lanka, (Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam). The ASEAN flag raising ceremony and a reception were held at the Indonesian Embassy premises in Colombo yesterday, with President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the chief guest. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Old Maskeliya town emerges

Several buildings including temples and kovils in the old Maskeliya town that had been submerged by the reservoir have emerged due to the prevailing drought in the central hills. The engineers in charge said the water level in the reservoir stands at 49 ft below spill level. Pix by Gamini Bandara Ilangatilleka

Against forcibly entering CB

A group of members attached to the Lease and Loan Payers’ Association had forcibly entered the premises of the Central Bank this morning, and hence a heated situation had arisen. Later, eight individuals were arrested by the Fort Police. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Kurundi Vihara Wansa launched...

Kurundi Vihara Wansa, a compilation of essays on Kurundi Viharaya by academics of five Sri Lankan universities, was launched at the Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Mandiraya at Thummulla today. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Trainer aircraft crashes

A training aircraft of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF crashed inside the SLAF Academy in China Bay this morning after the take-off this morning, killing the pilot and an officer.

Royal retain Bradby Shield

Royal College retained the Bradby Shield after recording 27-17 over Trinity College in the second leg of the 77th encounter at Reid Avenue. President Ranil Wickremesinghe also watched the match.

Tourists climb Mihintale with flaming torches

A group of foreign tourists, including French nationals who came to worship the Mihintale sacred city without knowing that electricity had been cut off in the premises were seen climbing Mihintale mountain by torch light. The electricity supply to Mihintale sacred city was disconnected on Tuesday morning due to non payment of due arrears. Pix by B.G Chathuranga

Profood Propack 2023 at BMICH

The recently announced and highly anticipated Sri Lanka Food Processors’ Association (SLFPA) and Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Pvt Ltd (LECS) 20th edition of the Profood Propack & Agbiz Exhibition opened today at the BMICH Exhibition Center. The exhibition will close on August 6. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel