Back to how it was....

The people who thronged the Prime Minister’s Office at Flower Road, Colombo, are seen cleaning the premises and surrounding. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Sudden curfew forces people to stay indoors

Due to a sudden curfew declared by the government in the Western Province following widespread protests, the roads in the Colombo city are seen deserted today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

PM office taken over

The protesters stormed into the Prime Minister’s Office at Flower Road, Colombo this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Dry Rations

250 bags of dry food were distributed to low income families yesterday at the Mattegoda Dhamma Sewana Educational Institute and Temple. Dry Rations were distributed among people by the Sri Lanka Association in Bangladesh with the support of the Sri Lankan Army. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Lankans in Maldives protest agaisnt GR

Sri Lankans in the Maldives staged a protest today after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had arrived in Male and demanded the Maldivian government should send him away without protecting him.

Protesters tear gassed...

Police used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters protesting near the Prime Minister’s office in Flower Road Colombo this morning. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Dansala at Gangarama temple

A dansala took place near the Gangarama Temple this morning in view of the Esala Poya day. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Blessings from Buddha

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 Gangarama temple and Sri Devram Maha Vehera in Pannipitiya taking part in religious observances. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Nisal Baduge

Gas distribution...

A truckload of domestic LITRO gas cylinders were brought today and distributed among consumers at the Pepiliyana grounds. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Nisal Baduge

Getting back to normal...

The streets of Colombo are starting to get crowded again as a result of the recent public protests. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Air tickets for workers flying to Japan

Air tickets were symbolically awarded handed over to young workers through the IRO College of Education technical intern recruits Sri Lankan workers in Japan. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sri Lanka draw Test series 1-1

Sri Lanka beat Australia by an innings and 39 runs in the second Test in Galle on Monday. Australia, with a first innings deficit of 190, were bowled out for 151 with Prabath Jayasuriya taking 6 for 59, the best figures for a Sri Lankan on debut. He took 12 for 177 for the match, the best match bag for a Sri Lankan in their first Test. Earlier Dinesh Chandimal scored his first double century for Sri Lanka.

Stop suppressing protesters...

Trade unions and civil organization today staged a protest near the Police headquarters calling the authorities to stop suppressing the protesters who took over some key state buildings on Saturday. Pix Pradeep Dilrukshana

Overcrowded trains

Overcrowded passenger trains were seen this morning in several areas as limited buses were operated due to shortage of fuel. Pix by Kithsir de Mel

Sri Lanka take control of second Test

Sri Lanka took a 67-run lead in the second Test against Australia, thanks to a century from former captain Dinesh Chandimal and fifties from Kamindu Mendis and Angelo Mathews. Sri Lanka ended day three of the Test on 431 for 6, with Chandimal unbeaten on 118. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Public galore in Presidential Secretariat, House and Temple Trees

People continue to flock to the Presidential Secretariat, President’s House and Temple Trees which was taken over by protestors yesterday. Pix byKithsiri de Mel

Ruwan visits PM’s damaged house

Former Minister Ruwan Wijewardene today inspected the Prime Minister’s private residence in Colombo that was set on fire last night.Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Deserted...

Roads in Colombo City and suburbs were seen deserted today even though it was congested with protesters yesterday.Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Muslims gather for Eid al-Adha

Devotees gathered at the Galle Fort Meera Mosque in Galle to celebrate Eid al-Adha on Sunday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Aragalaya takes over!

Protesters took control of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence, Presidential Secretariat following the protest held this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sri Lanka reach 184 for 2

Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne scored half centuries for Sri Lanka in reply to Australia’s first innings score of 364 in the first Test in Galle. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protestors tear gassed in Fort

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters gathered at the Chatham Street in Colombo this morning. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi, Pradeep Dilrukshana and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Colombo security conclave concludes

The Member States of the Colombo Security Conclave comprising India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, successfully concluded the 6th Deputy National Security Adviser level meeting held on 7 July 2022 hosted by the National Security Council Secretariat of India in Kochi. Delegations from Bangladesh and Seychelles participated as observers.

Centuries for Labuschagne, Smith

Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith scored centuries as Australia ended day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka on 298 for 5, in Galle on Friday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Living life...not easy

Picture shows porters are using their carts to handle gunny bags full of dry foods along a street in Colombo. The World Food Programme (WFP) in its latest report said that 6.26 million people in Sri Lanka are food insecure and it targets three million people to receive emergency food, nutrition and meals for schoolchildren sitting until December this year. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Journos protest against Rajapaksas

Several journalist groups including YouTubers and social media activists led by Sri Lanka Young Journalists’ Association held a demonstration today at the Lipton Circus condemning the killings related to media personalities and other activists that took place during the past Rajapaksa regime. The demonstrators demanded justice for all these killings. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Implement proposals forwarded by Maha Sangha

A large number of Buddhist monks marched towards Colombo city and began a continuous Satyagraha at Fort today, urging the government to implement the proposals put forward by the Maha Sangha. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskhana

Its Rambutan season

Vendors are seen selling Rambutan, Dragon fruit (Pitaya fruit) and Mangosteen along several streets of Colombo announcing the return of Rambutan season. People are also seen making a stop near the stalls to purchase the fruits. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

Guarantee uninterrupted education for students

The Principals and Teachers’ unions today held a protest at Slave Island, Colombo 2, demanding the government to open schools to continue studies and guarantee uninterrupted education for schoolchildren. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

FUTA invites people for July 9 gathering

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) today conducted a protest march from Nugegoda Junction to the Colombo public library. The feature of this protest parade was the participation of university professors riding in bicycles. They invited the public to gather in Colombo this Saturday (9) to end this anarchical rule. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe