Pettah busy, but no sales

The wholesale shops in Pettah were deserted today resulted in poor business turnover. The shop owners lament that it is difficult to trade essential commodities because of skyrocketing prices and price control mechanism. However the porters (natamis) seem busy loading and unloading goods to and from Lorries. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Nisal Baduge.

LAUGFS draws long queues...

Long queues are seen at LAUGFS outlet along Havelock Road to buy gas, as limited number of cylinders have been issued for distribution among consumer today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Long queues for kerosene

Long queues were seen at Kosgas Junction to purchase Kerosene due to the shortage of domestic gas in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Shanaka plays captain’s knock

Dasun Shanaka led from the front with a scintillating half-century as Sri Lanka edged world champions Australia by four wickets in the third and final Twenty20 International to avoid a series whitewash on Saturday.

Poson Perahera in Ragama

The historic Poson Perahera of the Ragama Walpola was held this year after two years. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Dry rations for low-income families

Essential dry rations were distributed among 50 low-income families in the Tewatta Grama Niladhari divisions in Ragama by the Chief Prelate of the Ragama Batuwatte Rathna Sri Gnanarama Pothgul Viharaya in Narangoda Paluwa recently. Meanwhile, the Chief Prelate provided breakfast and lunch for the people who were queuing up for diesel for seven days in front of the temple. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Vaccination drive at Viharamahadevi Park

Picture shows people are receiving their vaccines against the COVID-19 virus at the vaccination centre at Viharamahadevi Park. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Dry rations for school children in Colombo

Dry rations were distributed among schoolchildren from low-income families in Colombo district yesterday. They were distributed among children in three schools in Colombo at a ceremony held at the Kotahena Central School. The dry rations were donated by the Chinese Embassy and the Sri Lanka – China Friendship Association. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Gifts for children at LRH

Malaysian High Commissioner Tan Yang Thai, his spouse and Members of Alumni Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme today handed some gifts items to the children who are admitted to Lady Ridgway Hospital (LRH). Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Police fire tear gas on protesters

Police fired tear gas to disperse a group of protestors opposite the Police headquarters today. The protestors were engaged in a protest demanding justice for the attack on Galle Face Gree protest site, ’GotaGoGama’ on May 9. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

AUS defeat SL by 3 wickets

Sri Lankan batters failed to fire for the second consecutive T20 match against Australia and managed 124-9 in Colombo after the visitors won the toss and chose to field Wednesday. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Keep your hands off our wages...

State Engineering Corporation employees today protested in front of the corporation’s premises against slashing their salaries in half. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Diesel for private buses, school vans

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Maharagama depot today issued diesel for private buses and school vans at the current rates. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Queues for fuel...

Lengthening queues are seen in front of petrol sheds today. Although fuel supply was streamlined, some sheds still run out of stocks. Pix by Nisal Baduge

UN to make global humanitarian appeal for SL

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with United Nations Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy yesterday (7) to finalise plans regarding the UN’s Global Humanitarian Appeal for Sri Lanka.

Tree planting ceremony...

A tree-planting ceremony was held at the ’ITC Colombo One Hotel and Residences’ in view of the World Environment day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Professional Tour Guides Alliance protest in Colombo

The Professional Tour Guides Alliance held a protest today in Colombo calling for mending relations with Russia. Bilateral relations soured after the Colombo Commercial High Court issued an enjoining order against Russian airline ‘Aeroflot’. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SLAF launches ’Waga Sangramaya’

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) men and women implemented the “Waga Sangramaya” within SLAF establishments which is affiliated by the SLAF Agriculture Unit in order to elevate the National Food Production drive as a matter of priority by launching many pragmatic remedies.

Army Chief pays courtesies to Navy Commander

The Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters on Monday (6) extended a red carpet welcome to the 24th Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage when he made his first courtesy call on Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna, Commander of the Navy at his office after assumption of new office.

Ensure environmental justice!

The Association of Environmental Organizations (AEO) yesterday staged a protest at GotGoGama at the Galle Face Green, demanding the government to ensure environmental justice. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Overcrowded trains

Packed passenger trains are common features these days, as the picture shows one of the trains packed with excess passengers seen leaving Fort Railway Station yesterday. The panic driven commuters clung on to trains in fear of private buses would minimise operations from this morning. With the recent bus fare hike, people now turn to trains for their traveling needs. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Air Tractors at Ratmalana Int’l airport

Three aircraft (Air Tractors) owned by an Australian company arrived at the Colombo International Airport Ratmalana (CIAR) on Saturday (4) from Cocos Island-West Island Airport, Australia, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) said.

Dry rations for low-income families in Ragama

Essential dry rations were distributed among low-income families in the Telwatta Grama Niladhari divisions in Ragama by the Chief Prelate of the Rathna Sri Gnanarama Pothgul Viharaya in Narangoda Paluwa recently. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Bangladesh fire

A fire and a huge explosion have killed at least 34 people and injured hundreds more at a storage depot near the city of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Teachers’ Union protest

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) today held a demonstration in front of the Co-operative Development Dept. demanding to conduct election and to legalise the administration of the society. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

High fruit sales in Colombo

There was a hype of activity at fruit sales in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo yesterday with people tasting, barganing, and purchasing fruits despite the high cost of living. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Water from the Kelani river recedes

With the water levels of the Kelani river receding over the last day, The water from the Kelani river flows onto the Modara river mouth, and as seen gushing into the sea. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bengali tiger cubs attract visitors at Zoo...

The three-month-old Bengali tiger cubs were set for public viewing at the Dehiwala zoological gardens from today. The tiger cubs were born on March 5. The mother (Kella) and father (Robin) were both living in the Dehiwala zoo. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Houses submerged due to heavy rains

The houses of the people in the New Colony Church Estate, in Wattala were submerged due to heavy rains received in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Presenting Letter of Credence

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne presented the Letter of Credence to the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni on May 9 who granted Royal Audience to accredit her as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Cambodia.