Kandy gets facelift...

US Envoy to Sri Lanka Julie Chung yesterday visited the Temple of the Tooth and the old Kandyan Kings’ Palace in view of World Tourism Day. Through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, the US Embassy in Colombo is helping to restore sections of the old palace, with a view to give the monumental building a facelift.

Celebrating World Tourism Day....

On the occasion of world tourism day, and with the aim of promoting travellers, the National Museum Department organized a special program with the participation of foreign travellers under the patronage of Museum Director General Sanuja Kasturiarachchi. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

World Tourism Day at the SLTDA

In line with World Tourism Day, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) organized an event in Colombo. Local officials in the tourism sector graced the occasion together with the UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative Christian Skoog. The theme for this year is ’’Rethinking Tourism’. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Withdraw HSZ declaration

A group of lawyers today staged a protest in front of Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court urging the President to immediately withdraw the order issued declaring several areas of the Colombo city as High-Security Zones (HSZ). Pix by Nisal Baduge

Let’s keep our beaches pollution-free

C.W. Mackie PLC today organised a beach cleaning campaign under the theme ’Beach Cleaning Day’. The cleaning campaign was initiated from the Mt. Lavinia beach with the collaboration of environmental protection organisations ’Clean Ocean Force,’ ’Wana Arana’, also the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and Sri Lanka Police. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Invoke blessings on 73rd Army Day

A group of Tamil military officers and other ranks gathered at the Mayurapathi amman Temple on the Havelock road, Colombo yesterday for a special Hindu prayer session to invoke blessings for the upcoming 73rd Army Anniversary and Army Day. Army Chief Lt. General Vikum Liyanage will be the chief guest at the anniversary celebrations. The 73rd Army Day will be observed on October 10. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

China donates kidney disease screening vehicles

Eight state-of-the-art CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Screening Vehicles (mobile labs) worth Rs. 660 million and donated by China were commissioned in the affected areas, the Chinese Embassy tweeted.

Signature campaign...

A campaign to collect signatures from the people began today opposite the Fort Railway Station by the People’s Movement to save schools, solve nutrition issues faced by schoolchildren immediately and to provide concessions to students and teachers for their travelling and transport needs. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Women-in-Need launches ’Win against violence’

Women-in-Need launched its Win Against Violence Project to bridge the gap that has been created between civil society and government actors in issues relating to gender equality and SGBV. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Let’s save Kurundi...

A group of people including Buddhist monks staged a protest march from Independence Square to the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs and handed over a petition urging the authorities to safeguard the Kurundi Sri Lankan heritage. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Queen’s final resting place

Britain’s royal family shared a photo on Saturday of the ledger stone marking the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II, who died two weeks ago at the age of 96. She is interred in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, which is in the larger St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.

Saudi Ambassador invites BBS chief for national day

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodathe Gnanasara thero was seen attending the Saudi National Day event held in Colombo last Friday (23). He attended the event as a special guest following an invitation by the Saudi Ambassador. Chief Executive Officer of the BBS Dilanthe Withanage was also among those who attended the event held at the Shangri-la Hotel

20-time Grand Slam champion retires

A tearful Roger Federer waved goodbye to professional tennis after teaming up with fellow great Rafael Nadal on an emotional night at the Laver Cup.

President at Walukarama Temple

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and other higherups in the government participated in the annual Perahara of the Walukarama Temple in Kollupitiya today. Prime minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, MP Vajira Abeywardene and Presidential Advisor Sagala Ratnayake were present at the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Foreign minister meets US President

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry met US President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden at the dinner hosted by them on the occasion of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Signature campaign at Galle Face Green

A country-wide signature campaign was launched from the Galle Face Green in Colombo by Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) calling for the repeal of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Several politicians attached to the opposition party, civil society activists and artists participated. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Abolish PTA.....urges uni students’ Federation

The University Students’ Federation of Kelaniya University today staged a protest in front of the university demanding the government to release the Araglaya activists who were arrested and remanded unlawfully under prevention terrorism act and to abolish the PTA once and for all. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Prima Stella chose Chamika Karunarathne as new brand Ambassador

Nutrition brand Prima Stella Dairy today announced its partnership with the Sri Lankan all-rounder in the sporting arena, Chamika Karunarathne, the Sri Lankan cricket sensation as the new Brand Ambassador to carry forward the brand promise of inspiring Sri Lankans to ’’Be Healthy, Be Active’’. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Trinco Port to export its first shipment after 30 years

The Port of Trincomalee will carry out its first export shipment today, after a long lay off of 30 years, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said.

36th anniversary of Intl. Day of Sign Languages

The National Museum Department organized a program to educate a group of hearing-impaired children of Moratuwa Horetuduwa Chandrasekara Special School in view of the 36th anniversary of the National Museums of Natural History and International Day of Sign Languages. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Power out from Diyawannawa...

The ’Power to the People-System Change’ organization (YOUTH FOR CHAnge*) today staged a protest in Maharagama today over several demands, including bringing down the prices of essential goods and releasing the activists arrested during the Aragalaya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Group Environmental Agenda 2030 launched

The Hemas Holdings PLC yesterday launched their Group Environmental Agenda 2030 ‘Haritha Mehewara’, a long-term commitment to protect and conserve the island’s critically endangered endemic species through necessary actions and interventions. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

’My Body Is Mine’ book launched

’My Body Is Mine’ an English children’s story book by Dr. Nuwan Thotawatta was launched recently. Awareness and learning are considered the best approaches to stop child abuse. Imparting this knowledge to children at an early age is not an easy task. Considering this crucial need, this fascinating children’s novel is developed with colourful illustrations. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Will not pay the electricity bills

A group of monks, priests and nuns today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station against the increased electricity tariff. The religious leaders claimed that they were unable to pay the bills and would not pay the bills. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Special press meet by Independent MPs

A special press conference was held by the Independent Members of Parliament this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sharing light moments....

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is in Britain having taken part at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, met King Charles III on the sidelines of the royal ceremony last weekend.

Nawaloka Hospital; 37 years of excellence...

Sri Lanka’s foremost private healthcare provider, the Nawaloka Hospital today marked 37 years of delivering exceptional clinical outcome to local and overseas patients. A series of events were held to mark the occasion. The anniversary celebrations commenced with the unveiling of Nawaloka Hospital’s premium primary care unit, ’Serene Centre’ with an elevator. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Education minister at US Education Summit

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha represented Sri Lanka at the Transforming of Education Summit, held in New York, USA during the 77th UN General Assembly. The main objective of this summit was to find solutions to the global educational crisis.

Lankan vendor’s love for royalty and Queen

Thousands of Britons irrespective of their status, are deeply saddened by the demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, waited in 12-hour long queues outside the Westminster Abbey to pay their last respects in the past ten days. Likewise, one man living thousands of miles away from Britain, mourning the death of the queen, was preparing to pay his last respects to his favourite monarch today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Galle Face gets cleaner look..

The ’Pannaraya Organization’, Colombo together with the Coastal Conservation Department and the Marine Resources Protection Authority jointly conducted a beach cleaning yesterday (18) at 9.00 am on the Galle Face beach to celebrate International Coastal Conservation Day. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja