President meets US Senator Chris Van Hollen

United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, who is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka, had a productive meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House in Kandy this afternoon. The meeting was attended by Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and the Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka and Julie Chung, the American Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

People receive “Aswesuma” benefits

People were seen at state banks to get their “Aswesuma” welfare benefits today. All state banks remained open to facilitate the people even though it is a Poya day today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Nikini Full Moon Poya Day

Devotees are engaged in religious observances at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya on Nikini full moon Poya day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Meritorious deed…

Some 15 cows committed to death were released and handed over to the dairy farmers by the Dehiwala Mt. Lavinia Young Buddhist Association. The event was held for the 32nd time. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Fourth Randoli procession

The fourth Randoli procession of the Kandy Esala festival was held last night. The final Randoli procession this year, which is scheduled to take place tonight, will set off from Sri Dalada Maligawa at the auspicious time of 7.03 pm and proceed along Dalada Veediya, Yatinuwara Veediya, Kande Veediya, D.S. Senanayake Veediya and return to the Sri Dalada Maligawa along Raja Veediya.Pix by Samantha Perera

SL peacekeepers leave for Mali

A group of three Officers and 70 Other Ranks of the 5th Combat Convoy Company (CCC), designated to serve in the United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) left for Mali last evening after a brief ceremony at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

President in Kandy seeks blessings

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya today and called on the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera and the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thera to receive their blessings. Pix Courtesy President Media Division

Against unfair taxation...

Civic associations and trade unions staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today against unfair taxation. Pix by Nisal Baduge

“AIDEX 2023”

“AIDEX 2023” Sports Festival for Jaipur limb users organized by the Board of Management of The Colombo Friend-in-need Society and the Organising Committee of Aidex 2023, was held at Rifle Green Grounds of Air Force Headquarters, Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Auto Parts Exhibition at BMICH

The ’’MOPEXPO’’ International Auto Parts Exhibition, where auto parts, tyres, batteries and garage equipment are available wholesale and retail, began yesterday at the BMICH in Colombo and will continue till August 27. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Teachers protest over transport allowance cut

The United Teachers Service Union organized a demonstration in front of Homagama President’s College today, advocating for an immediate resolution to the reduction in transport allowances for O/L answer sheet examiners. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Complast Sri Lanka 2023

The ’’Complast’’ rubber and plastic trade exhibition was inaugurated today at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of Minister of Plantation and Industries Ramesh Pathirana. PIx by Kithsiri De Mel

Annual Deva Pooja Festival at Ragama Maha Devala

The 48th Annual Deva Pooja Festival took place recently at Ragama Maha Devala, with Buddhist religious observances emphasizing the well-being of the President, country, and devotees. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Aerial view of Colombo Port City

Colombo Port City is a special economic zone and international financial center located in Colombo. It is a brand new city development built as an extension of the central commercial and business district of Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Patients waiting patiently...

People were seen waiting at the National Hospital in Colombo to get their medicines due to the 24-hour token strike launched by the Professionals of Supplementary Medical Service. The token strike was launched at 8 a.m. today in hospitals islandwide. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

SLECC crowded

The Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Center (SLECC) attracted a large crowd soon after the launch of the Colombo International Shoe Fair 2023 last Friday (18). The exhibition will continue till the end of this month (31), from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Customs destroys illegal imports

A stock of fake goods that were illegally imported into the country with a value of more than Rs. 88 million was destroyed at the Clean Teach institution in Mabola, Wattala under the supervision of Customs officers. The stock including oil filters, air filters, hands-free, data cables, phone chargers, spark plugs and shoes, was destroyed. The illegal imports had been seized and confiscated by the Consumer Protection Unit of the Sri Lanka Customs.

History of Malaiyaga Tamils

An exhibition was held at the Public Library today on the history and arrival of the Malaiyaga Tamils (Up-country). Many Malaiyaha Tamils undertook a pilgrimage from Thalaimannar to Matale, retracing the difficult journey their ancestors had taken when they first arrived in Sri Lanka 200 years ago, when the British looked to South India to source workers for the thriving coffee plantations in Sri Lanka.

In search of water

A mother of two children of Srimath Sri Narendra Modi Gama in Thissamaharama coming with a can to get water after a private company volunteered to distribute it. Over 50,000 families in eight out of nine provinces in Sri Lanka have been affected by the prevailing dry spell. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Petition submitted to Buddhasasana Ministry

Representatives from various organizations submitted a petition to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, urging authorities to revise the newly implemented procedure for registering Buddhist Temples with Divisional Secretaries. These groups expressed their concerns over the difficulties faced in registering temples due to lack of cooperation from the divisional secretaries in the process. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sri Lanka Print Exhibition and Trade Fair

The Sri Lanka Print Exhibition and Trade Fair organized by the Sri Lanka Printers Association is scheduled to be held from 26 to 28 October 2023 at the BMICH, Colombo. The Sri Lanka Print Show is an annual event that showcases the skills and experience of printmakers from across the country and around the world. Cheques were recently handed over by the sponsors during an event at the Water’s Edge Hotel in Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

President visits Yala National Park

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Yala National Park yesterday, where water was released into artificial ponds intended for park animals. The tour was attended by US Ambassador Julie Chung and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando. Following the park visit, the president declared open the newly built Hilton Yala Resort.

’Karadu Eththu’ launched in Rome

The novel ’Karadu Eththu’ written by Jagath Wellawatta, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Italy, was popularized at the Triciano Cinema in Rome, Italy.

’’Shoe Fair 2023’’ at SLECC

Colombo International Shoe Fair 2023 kicked off at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Center (SLECC) today. The exhibition will be held from August 18 to 31 from 10 am to 10 pm. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Ananda College Western Orchestra presents ‘DOLCE 2023’

The Western Orchestra of Ananda College, Colombo presented ‘DOLCE 2023’ -- An evening of classical and contemporary orchestral music at Colombo Lionel Wendt theatre under the patronage of distinguished old Anandian, Central Bank governor Dr . Nndalal Weerasinghe.

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