Bids adieus after 40 years of flying

Utpala Kumarasinghe, the most senior pilot of SriLankan Airlines, who has completed over 40 years of service, retired from his distinguished service. The aircraft which he commandeered for the last time in his career as a senior pilot, touched down at the Katunayake Airport last afternoon. He had taken his son Rahal Kumarasinghe as co-pilot during his last flight. ✅ Pix by T.K.G Kapila

'Gam Maduwa' held at Gangarama

A traditional ’Gam Maduwa’ was held at the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya with the participation of the chief incumbent of the temple Venerable Galaboda Ganesara Thera and Venerable Kirineda Assaji Thera on Thursday night. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Alone...

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa seen here sitting alone when the remains of late former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera was brought to the Parliament premises last morning. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa were also present at the occasion. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Parliament bids adieu to former speaker

The remains of late former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera was brought to the Parliament premises this morning. President Ranil Wickremeisinghe, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa are seen accompanying the casket carrying the former Speaker’s remains to the Parliament premises. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

First day in school

Grade one students were accompanied by their parents and teachers on their first day of school in Samudradevi Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

51st death anniversary of late Philip Gunawardene

The incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, together with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena together with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, are seen at a commemoration ceremony held at the BMICH to mark the 51st death anniversary of late socialist party leader Philip Gunawardene. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

CPC TU action creates fuel queues in Colombo

Motorists were seen queued up at several filling stations in Colombo following the trade union action by some workers at the CPC. However the situation returned to normal by evening with the release of additional stocks of fuel to the market. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest against Saliya Peiris...

A group of people staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station, accusing Attorney-at-Law Saliya Peiris of appearing for underworld leader Harak Kata.Pix by Nisal Baduge

Less traffic on Colombo roads as people fear fuel shortage

Several roads leading to Colombo City and within the city were seen less traffic this morning. Many believed it was due to the fear of fuel shortages due to the Trade Union action by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). Fuel distribution was not carried out properly yesterday due to the TU action. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Stop privatising CPC

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) trade union collective today launched a protest in front of the Oil installation at Kolonnawa this evening against the government’s move to privatize the CPC. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Lankadeepa does it again

Our sister papers Daily Lankadeepa and the Sunday Lankadeepa won the most popular newspaper award for the 17th consecutive year at ‘SLIM- KANTAR Peoples Award 2023’ being held at Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte this evening.

Abolish taxes - FUTA

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) today staged a protest in front of the University Grants Commission (UGC) against the huge government tax imposed on people and against the allegations levelled at Ruhuna University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Sujeewa Amarasena. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Devram Vihara perahera parades the streets

The Medin Maha Perahera conducted by the Sri Devram Maha Viharaya in Pannipitiya paraded the streets on Saturday night. Pix by Nisal Baduge

’’Kedella Construction Expo 2023’’

The exhibition ’’Kedella Construction Expo 2023’’ organized by the Asia Exhibitions and Conventions (Pvt) Ltd was launched today and will be held until Sunday (29) from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) Colombo. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Hands off judges…

A group of lawyers staged a protest in front of the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today urging the authorities not to interfere with the judiciary. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘Crafting Ceylon’ exhibition at BMICH

With the aim of providing overseas market opportunities for Sri Lankan handicraft products, a ’’Crafting Ceylon’’ export-oriented design development Exhibition held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Another electric bike launched

Managing Director of Abans Group Behman Pestonjee and Yadea Sales Director Southeast Asia Division Alex opened the Yadea electric bike at their flagship showroom in Peliyagoda today. A truck was pulled by the Yadea electric bike to show its strength during the launch. The bike will be sold for less than Rs. 550,000 and save a lot of money on fuel. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

71st death anniversary of DS Senanayake commemorated

The 71st death anniversary of late Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake, the Father of the Nation, was commemorated at Independence Square today (22) under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

designer’s wedding show 2023

The designer’s wedding show 2023 was held at Hilton Hotel in Colombo last night. The Celebrity Designer Wedding Show first took place in 2009 and continued annually until it was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. This year marks the first Celebrity Designer Wedding Show since the pandemic and is also the first time the show joins hands with the Indira Cancer Trust. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

71st death anniversary of DS Senanayake

A mid-day meal was provided to children of the Jinananda Children’s Development Centre in Wellawatte today to mark the 71st death anniversary of late Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake. His grandson, Rukman Senanayake and other family members were present at this occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Parents protest against teachers

Parents were seen protesting at the Fort Railways station against the protest conducted by the teachers’ union. The parents claimed that the education of their children was not continued due to the COVID pandemic and protests. Therefore, the parents organized the protest against the teachers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Protest against dissolution of Teachers' Transfer Board

Lanka Teachers Union today held a protest campaign in front of the Colombo Fort railway station based on several issues including the dissolution of the Teachers’ Transfer Board. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Premitha, Sagala visit Army Headquarters

State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, accompanied by the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security Sagala Rathnayake praised the services rendered by Sri Lanka Army troops during his maiden visit to the Army Headquarters situated in Defence Headquarters Complex, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Revise new tax policy...

The Entrepreneurs Struggle Movement today held a protest in front of the Central Bank, demanding the government revise the new tax policy. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Already celebrating…

Several people are seen in the Maradana area of Colombo celebrating the IMF’s approval of a loan facility. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tharanga, Dilshan seal Legends League title for Asia Lions

Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan stitched a 100-run opening partnership as Asia Lions chased down a target of 148 with 23 balls to spare. They beat the defending champions, World Giants even after Jacques Kallis scored a fluent 78 to power World Giants to 147/4 in 20 overs.

Steady inflow of tourist arrivals..

A group of foreign tourists who came to Sri Lanka were seen walking through Independence Square in Colombo. Sri Lanka is currently witnessing a steady inflow of tourist arrivals for the month of March, with the arrivals crossing the 50,000 mark. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Remembering Gamini Dissanayake

The 81th memorial of late UNP strongman Gamini Dissanayake was held today. A floral tribute to the Gamini Dissanayake Statue at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7, was held by the family members and friends of the late parliamentarian. Pix Pradeep Dilrukshana

First TSP fertiliser shipment arrives

FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives - Vimlendra Sharan, USAID Mission Director for Sri Lanka - Gabriel Grau, United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka - Julie Chung, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture - Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Commissioner-General of the Department of Agrarian Development and Farmer Representative gracing the fertiliser handing over event. Pix by Nimal Siri Edirisingha

Holi in Colombo

The Indian community in Colombo celebrated the Holi festival at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Indian High Commissioner Gopal Bagley was among those present. Pix by Easwaran Rutnam