UNP launches digital app

The UNP digital app was launched at the party’s Central Bala Mandala meeting in Gunasinghepura, Colombo. UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake were present during the launch. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Donate blood, saves lives

A blood donation campaign conducted at the Education Ministry today in line with World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The campaign was organised by the Transport division of the ministry. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Army doctors enter Guinness World Records

A group of Army doctors has removed a large size kidney stone from a man, which is said to be the world’s largest and heaviest kidney stone (calculus) removed following a major operation, the Army said. The stone was removed on Thursday (1) at the Colombo Army Hospital, entering the Guinness World Records, it said.

To the deities, against closing down CWE

The CWE United Trade Union Alliance dashed coconuts today at the Modara Hindu temple against the attempt to close the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) by Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando.

SLBFE signs MoU with Korean shipbuilding industry

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), the Sri Jinaratana Institute affiliated with the Gangaramaya Temple and Korean Cluelife Institute to establish a training center to train Sri Lankan’s for employment in the Korean shipbuilding industry.

150th national day of Philippines

The 150th national day of the Philippines was marked with a ceremony held at Marino Beach, Colombo, with the participation of Consul General Honorem Huch Sri Lala Dissanayake as the Chief Guest. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Mount Mayon spews lava

The Philippines’ most active volcano began spewing lava and sulfuric gas Sunday, prompting the evacuation of nearly 13,000 residents in the southeast of the country’s main island. Situated on Luzon Island about 330 kilometers (205 miles) southeast of Manila, Mayon is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. (AFP)

Master Shi Fa Zhao of Singapore felicitated

A special felicitation ceremony was held at the BMICH today to honour Master Shi Fa Zhao, the Chief Abbot of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and the Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple in Singapore, in appreciation of many years of his service to Buddhism and Sri Lanka, which was attended by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Gangaramaya Chief Prelate Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Alms giving to invoke blessings on Ven. Xi Pashao thera

An alms giving was held today at the Hunupitiya Gangarama Temple to invoke blessings on Ven. Master Xi Pashao Thera, the head of Buddhist Tooth Relic Temple and Museum as well as the Golden Pagoda in Singapore, on the guidance of Chief Prelate of the Colombo Gangaramaya Temple Ven. Dr. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera.

Culinary Art Food Expo at BMICH

’Cafe 2023’, the Culinary Art Food Expo International Processed Food and Hospitality Exhibition, was launched today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The exhibition will be held until Sunday (11) from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Now THAT’S a deep sleep!

A hotel that claims to be the deepest in the world has opened 1,375ft (419m) below the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales. (Daily Mail)

NPP demands LG polls

A large number of National Peoples’ Power (NPP) supporters and candidates who have submitted nominations to contest the LG polls staged a protest outside the Elections Commission in Rajagiriya urging the Elections Commission to intervene to hold the LG polls. Pix by Gayan Amarasekara

State Minister graces defence seminar and exhibition

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon participated as the chief guest of the Indian Defence Export Promotion Seminar and Exhibition held at the Hotel Taj Samudra in Colombo yesterday.

Students' union tear gassed

Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the members of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura University near the Wijerama junction this afternoon. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Plea to release Natasha and Bruno

The Colombo Action Committee held a peaceful demonstration near the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court demanding the abolition of repressive laws and the release of Natasha and Bruno who are in custody. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

New People’s Front in action

The New People’s Front today held a peaceful protest near the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, demanding that the law be enforced against religious conspirators who are destroying the country. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Reception to express gratitude...

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka held a reception to express its gratitude to the Naval officers of Sri Lanka and other countries in the region for the role they had played in rescuing the crew and also the others who had participated in salvaging the vessel Lu Peng Yuan Yu 028 earlier this year. Senior adviser to the President, Sagala Ratnayake was the chief guest. The Chinese Ambassador in Colombo, Qi Zehenhon

A seized container...

Sri Lanka Customs today displayed a seized container carrying three hybrid cars, a large stock of cosmetics, illicit cigarettes and foreign liquor worth over Rs.350 million, which had been imported by a trader falsely declaring as motor spare parts. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Roads under water...

The Midalana, Magura, Morapitiya, Peleda Galahitiya villages of the Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat in the Kalutara district were flooded and several houses were affected due to the overflow of the Maguru Ganga. Areas along the Maguru Ganga, Udukumbura and Midalana on the Agalawatta-Kalawana road were under water, and vehicle movements were restricted. Pix by Danushka Lanka Nanayakkara Agalawatte

Colombo East Base Hospital for COVID-19 diagnosis

The staff of the Colombo East Base Hospital (CEBH) which has been selected as the best hospital for the diagnosis of COVID-19 was felicitated yesterday at a ceremony held in the hospital. The Director of the Hospital Dr. Priyantha Karunaratna and Chief MLS of the laboratory Ms.Thusharah Thanthirige were present at the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Anuradhapura Hospital receives new Dialysis machine

The ‘Sandahiru Seya Charity Trust’ recently donated a dialysis machine worth Rs 3.3 million to the Kidney Treatment Unit of the Anuradhapura General Hospital. The donation was made under a proposal by Defence Secretary, General Kamal Gunaratne.

Aloka Pooja in Thanthirimale

The “ Poson Aloka Pooja” illumination of the Thanthirimale Rajamaha Vihara organized by Wijeya Newspapers Ltd was commissioned on the Poson full moon day on May 03.by Lakadeepa Chief Editor Siri Ranasingha , Anuradhapura District Secretary Janaka Jayasundera, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe and former Chief Minister S.M.Ranjith.

Freedom Pride Parade

The LGBTQ community of Sri Lanka paraded the streets of Colombo today and took part in a cultural ceremony to voice their rights and concerns, themed the ‘Freedom Pride Parade’. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Another poson dansala

The teachers and the Old Boys’ Union of Kotte Ananda Shastralaya organised a Dansala to mark Poson Poya. It was held at the school premises on Saturday. Pic Pradeep Dilrukshana

Public Conference on ’’Buddhism as Universal Solution to the World’’

On the occasion of Poson Poya Day, a public conference organized by the South-South Research Initiative under the theme of ’’Buddhism as a Universal Solution to the World’’, was held at the Bandaranaike International Memorial Conference Hall (BMICH) premises, Colombo. Several sessions were conducted on the themes of ’’Buddhism for Mental Wellness’’, ’’Buddhist Solutions to Modern Cris

Milinda Moragoda calls on Rahul Gandhi

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda recently met former Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Three-train crash in Odisha

At least 261 people have been killed and 1,000 are injured in a crash involving three trains in India’s eastern Odisha state.

Religious observances at Bellanwila

People gathered at the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya were seen taking part in religious observances today on Poson Full Moon Poya day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dansals in Colombo

Several dansals were conducted around the Colombo city to mark the Poson Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dhamma serman at Sirikotha

A dharma deshana (serman) was held by Venerable Aludeniye Subodhi Thera at UNP Headquarters Sirikotha today to mark Poson Poya. UNP Buddhist society members and Sirikotha staff participated in the sermon and other programs held to mark the event. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana