Till populist victory...

The Socialist Youth Association (SYU) held a protest today at the Polduwa junction, demanding the government abolish all repressive laws and not lay its hands on the people’s EPF and ETF. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Floral tribute to founder on 50th anniversary of Amarapura Mulawanshika Chapter

A religious ceremony was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Mulawanshika Chapter of the Amarapura Sect, with floral tributes to the founder Most Venerable Bodhisathwa Guna Vibushitha Maha Dhamma Rajadhi Ragaguru Sri Gnanawimala Tissadhidana Mahanayaka Thera at the Ambarukkarama Mula Mahavihar, Welitara Balapitiya. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Pakistan Team arrives

The Pakistan National Team led by Babar Azam arrived in Sri Lanka this morning to take part in the two-match test series which will begin on July 16th, 2023, at the GICS, Galle. The second test match will commence at the SSC, Colombo, on July 24th. The test series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle.

Construction Power and Energy Expo in Colombo

The eighth edition of Sri Lanka’s premier exhibition in the construction, interior products, power and energy-related sectors, the Construction Power and Energy Expo, kicked off at the BMICH. The event that will come to a close on July 9 showcases over 200 exhibitors, representing a wide range of industries, including roofing systems, doors, windows, sanitary ware, electrical engineering, renewable energy, etc.

Excise felicitates long-serving Sergeants, Sergeant Majors

Long serving Sergeants and Sergeant Majors of the Department of Excise were felicitated at a special ceremony held at the departmental headquarters in Rajagiriya today, which was graced by the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Joint Health Services Union in protest

The Joint Health Services Union staged a protest today outside Colombo National Hospital over several demands including an allowance of Rs. 20,000. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Trekking in search of water...

Wild animals in the Yala National Park were seen roaming in search of food and water due to the dry weather conditions. Pix by Nisal Baduge

America celebrates Independence Day

Americans turned out in full force to mark 247 years of the Declaration of Independence on Tuesday - with millions braving intense heat and rain to celebrate.

For sail!

One of Britain’s biggest windmills which boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms is on the market for £650,000, a figure cheaper than the average house price in London.

Esala festival ends with water cutting ceremony

The Esala festival in Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala ended after the water cutting ceremony last morning at Jeewamali ferry in Menikganga. The Kapurala performing the rite was brought to the venue of the ceremony in a palanquin. The first pot of water collected from the site was taken to Valliamma Devala after performing traditional rites. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Final procession of Kataragama Devalaya held

The final procession of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya was paraded through the streets, last night, Esala Full Moon Poya Day. The annual Kataragama Esala Perahera festival started on June 19. The Perahera festival will end today (4) with the water-cutting ceremony. Here President Ranil Wickremesinghe placing the casket containing the sacred relic on the perahera’s chief elephant last night. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Air China resumed services

Air China resumed services between the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Colombo and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with three flights a week from Chengdu-Colombo-Chengdu yesterday (3), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

Kataragama Perahara - 14th day..

The annual perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya was held for the 14th day last night with a large crowd witnessing the procession. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Seeking blessings on Esala Poya day

Today is Esala full moon Poya day, which is celebrated by Buddhists island wide. Esala Poya is significant to Buddhists as the day Buddha preached his first dhamma sermon, the ’Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta’. The picture shows devotees at the Kiri Vehera at Kataragama taking part in religious observances. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Kelaniya Temple on Esala Poya Day...

Devotees were seen coming in numbers to Kelaniya Temple and were seen engaged in religious observances to mark Esala Full Moon Poya Day. By Pradeep Dilruskshana

Rice donation programme

A rice donation programme was conducted at Pepiliyana Raja Maha Viharaya to coincide with Adhi Esala Poya day. A patron of the temple Mr. Sugeeshwara Bandara organized the programme with the participation with his mother. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Scout Association launches National Service, Relationship Month

The National Service and Relationship Month organized by Sri Lanka Scout Association was launched recently at the Pedro Scout Camp in Nuwara Eliya under the patronage of President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake and Chief Scout.

Leaving for UN Peacekeeping in Mali

One more contingent of Sri Lanka Army personnel in the 5th Combat Convoy Company (CCC), designated to serve in the United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) left for Mali yesterday (July 01) evening as the first segment of 170 troops out of the full contingent of 243, set to leave in stages.

Kataragama Perahara - 13th day..

The annual perahera of the Kataragama Maha Devalaya was held for the 13th day last night with a large crowd witnessing the procession. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Kadawara Yak Kankariya

An extremely rare and dying ritual in Sri Lanka, the ’Kadawara Yak Kankariya’ was performed on Friday (30) night coinciding with the ongoing Esala festival in Kataragama. Chief Incumbent of the Kirivehera Most Ven. Kobawaka Dhamminda Nayaka Thera, Basnayaka Nilame Dishan Gunasekera and Uruwarige Wanniyale Eththo were the guests of honour at the event. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Fire walking at Kataragama

The main fire walking ceremony of the Kataragama Esala festival took place this morning in front of the Maha Devalaya. The devotees took part in the fire walking. Pix by Nisal Baduge

​Exhibition of paintings and drawings

An exhibition of paintings and drawings by renowned artist, Kalasoori S.H. Sarath which kicked off at Siam Nivasa, the premises of the Roayl Thai Embassy on May 23 will be held till July 4. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Dry rations distributed...

Dry rations were distributed among 200 low-income people at the Gangaramaya Temple yesterday with the patronage of the IOC Chairman Sujoy Choudhury and other officials and the Temple Deputy incumbent Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

New Air marshal welcomed

Air marshal Udeni Rajapaksa was welcomed as the 19th commander of the Sri Lanka air force today. The ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Head Quarters. The Air marshal will assume duties tomorrow. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

UNP holds Ratmalana Bala Mandala meeting

Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake presents letters of appointment to members of the party’s Ratmalana Bala Mandalaya during the meeting held with the participation of Mr. Ratnayake, the Party General Secretary and other party seniors. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Suwa Arana opens

Suwa Arana, Sri Lanka’s first Peadiatric Palliative Care Centre opened its doors yesterday for peadiatric cancer patients. Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, his daughter Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake and UNP MP Navin Dissanayake were present at the opening of the Care Centre. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SL cricket team on safari adventure

Sri Lanka cricket team enjoyed an amazing safari adventure at the Matobo National Park in southwest Zimbabwe during their break of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Chinese ambassador pays tribute to Keppitipola Disawe

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong visited Keppetipola and paid tribute to the statue of Keppitipola Disawe, a Sri Lankan hero who led the great rebellion against colonization and invasion. He sacrificed his life for Sri Lanka’s freedom and independence.

Celebrating Hajj

Muslim devotees gathered around the country today to celebrate the Hajj festival. Seen here are devotees gathered at the Galle Face Green this morning to engage in Eid – Ul- Azha prayers in celebration of Hajj. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Appoint teachers the proper way...

Members of the Association of Graduates staged a protest today in front of the Fort Railway station, demanding the government to appoint them as teachers after conducting the teachers’ examination according to the teachers’ constitution. Later, a sandeshaya was handed over in this regard to the Presidential Secretariat. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe