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

Poson Poya day

The Buddhist Devotees pray at Gangarama Temple on June 3, 2023, Poson Full moon poya day. Poson Poya is an annual festival held by Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrating the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century. The most important festivals of the festival are held in Anuradhapura and Mihinthalee.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Hingulwala Piyarathana Thero conducts Buddha sermons for US soldiers in Virginia

Several religious programmes were organised for American soldiers at a Navy base in Virginia, USA recently with the participation of Ven. Rajakeeya Pandita Hingulwala Piyarathana Thero, consultant and religious section member of the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs. At least 800 US soldiers and their families participated in the programmes, including sermons.

Wes Mangalaya ceremony

A ‘Wes Mangalaya ceremony’, organised by Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte was held at Eyamporuwa Temple in Madiwela recently under the patronage of Maj Gen Priyantha Weerasinghe. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

No Case, No Money, No Compensation

Several environmental organizations backed by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) staged a protest outside the Ministry of Justice in Colombo today, demanding the government to file charges against the X-Press Pearl ship tragedy at a Sri Lankan Court instead of Singapore and seeking compensation for the environmental damage caused. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

IMF delegation visits Lotus Tower

The IMF delegation visited the Lotus Tower, Colombo today. The Lotus Tower Management said it was a great pleasure for them to share their vision, ambition and upcoming projects with the visitors.

Fuel shortages lead to queues at fuel stations

Today, long queues were observed at numerous fuel stations as a consequence of several stations refraining from placing orders in anticipation of a potential reduction in fuel prices. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SL receives 40 metric tons of rice from US

The American Alumni Association of Sri Lanka (AAA SL) announced that it has secured a significant donation of 40 metric tons of rice from Bridgeforth Farms in Alabama, USA, which will benefit 4,000 households, providing support to disadvantaged urban families and emphasizing the compassion and unity between the United States and Sri Lanka. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Adjust basic wages to match CoL

The Institution of Engineers’ Employees union went on a token strike in Colombo today with the primary objective of adjusting their basic wages to match the cost of living and against the arbitrary practices in internal governance. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Help protect job and EPF...

Trade unions staged protests against labour law amendments, demanding the minister to protect jobs and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Protest demanding justice from UK for up-country Tamils

The ’Kithusara Group’ held a protest outside the British High Commission in Colombo today demanding justice from the UK government for genocide of up-country Tamils in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Vesak celebrated in Kuwait

The Vesak festival organized for the 35th time jointly by the Sri Lankan Embassy officials in Kuwait and the Sri Lanka Cultural Association, held in a grand manner May 25 and 26 at the Embassy compound in Kuwait. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

Complaint lodged against Pastor Jerome & Natasha

The Sinhala Ravaya lodged a complaint against Pastor Jerome Fernando and Natasha Edirisooriya who have made defamatory statements against Buddhism recently. Ven. Akmeemana Dayarathana Thero of Sinhala Ravaya was seen leaving the CID after lodging the complaint. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Stamps, coins exhibition...

An exhibition of vintage stamps, coins, currency notes, organized by the Sri Lanka Independent Philatelic Association was held over the weekend at the Public Library in Colombo. Several stamps and other vintage articles were also exhibited and sold at this exhibition. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

GCE (O/L) exams kick off

The GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations began this morning across the country. Candidates were seen arriving at examination centres in the Colombo district.

Busy buying veggies....

People are seen busy buying vegetables at the Delkanda Sunday fair, despite the higher prices. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

81st birth anniversary of the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero

Commemorating the Eighty-first Birth Anniversary of late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera took place on Sunday (May 28) at the Kotte Sri Naga Viharaya. The commemoration was organized by the Maduluwawe Sobhitha memorial committee. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel