Troops evacuate flood-affected O/L candidates

A group of schoolchildren sitting for GCE O/L from St. Andrew’s Central School in Puttalam were affected due to floods were evacuated immediately by 143 Brigade troops with 58 Division troops in Puttalam this morning.

Not increasing salaries...

Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU) today staged a protest at York Street, Colombo demanding to increase their salaries. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Another army contingent off to Mali

One more contingent of 100 well-trained Army personnel in the Combat Convoy Company (CCC), designed to serve in the United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) left for Mali last evening (23) as the first group of the contingent of 243 troops, set to leave in stages. General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army was also arrived at the departure terminal to see them off.

Settle our dues....

Members of the Mini Hydro Power Generators’ Collective today staged a protest in front of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) demanding the CEB to settle their outstanding dues for purchasing electricity. They also lamented that they were unable to pay their workers and staff members’ salaries. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

It's the bowsers' turn ...

Bowsers carrying fuel are seen queuing up to fill their tankers at the Kolonnawa Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal. Pix by Nisal Baduge

GCE O/L exam begins

The GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examinations begin this morning across the country. Picture shows the candidates are being received at the examination centre at Samudradevi Girl’s College in Nugegoda. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Protest march to mark International Day for Biological Diversity

Environmentalists, tourists and other lobby groups engaged in a march from Vihara Mahadevi Park to Galle Face Green ‘ GotaGoGama’ to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Japanese ships depart the island

The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Training Squadron ships ‘KASHIMA’ and ‘SHIMAKAZE’ which recently arrived at the port of Colombo on a three day visit, departed the island yesterday concluding their official visit.

Still with hope and patience....

People are seen waiting in queues to pump fuel to their vehicles in Colombo despite the request by the Power and Energy Minister that no immediate supply of fuel. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

GotaGoGama; 42 days old today....

The ’GotaGoGama’ protest is still continuing strongly demanding the removal of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Picture shows people are seen actively engaged in protest at Gotagogama for the 42nd day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Tear gas fired at IUSF protesters

Police used tear gas and water cannons today to disperse the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) protesters in front of the World Trade Centre (WTC) while attempting to enter the Presidential Secretariat. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Arrest attackers...

Trade Unions and Collection of Mass Organizations today engaged in a protest opposite the Fort Railway station demanding to arrest of those who instigated the inhuman attack on the peaceful and unarmed protesters on May 9 at the Galle Face Green. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Commemorating War Heroes

A simple state ceremony to commemorate the War Heroes was held today under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the War Heroes Memorial at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Pettah Vesak pandol back for public view...

After the crashing of the Vesal Pandol at Pettah, assembled in front of the Gunasinghepura Bus Stand every year, it was re-assembled and ready for public view. Earlier the Vesak Pandol crashed before the Vesak poyaday due to strong winds. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Arrest attackers of GotaGoGama

The Trade Union Coordinating Centre (TUCC) today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railways station demanding the authorities to arrest the people who were involved in the attack on the GotaGoGama peaceful protestors. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Long lines for gas...

Due to the severe fuel shortage in the country, many lanes in Colombo and suburbs were closed for traffic as people queued up for fuel. A traffic jam was created by this afternoon. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Nisal Baduge

Novice Buddhist monks ordained

An ordination ceremony held at the Sri Dharmaloka Temple in Bandaragama today, where three young boys were ordained as monks. The ceremony was organised by Ven. Dr. Thalgampala Paduma Thera with the patronage of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Maha Sanga Sabha Anunayake, Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera. Pix by Samantha Perera

Remembering ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen

A protest was held to remember former rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, who was murdered a decade ago, culminates at ’GotaGoHome’ village. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Arrest GotaGoHome attackers...

Another protest was held this evening at the ’GotaGoHome’ [village] demanding the arrest of those who instigated the violent attack on the peaceful and unarmed protesters on May 9. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Arrest all who attacked peaceful protesters

Lawyers from the Bar Association of SriLanka (BASL) today engaged in a protest demanding the arrest of those instigated the violent attack on the peaceful and unarmed protesters on May 9. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Security tightened around Parliament

Security has been tightened around Parliament this morning as the Parliament was convened today. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisingha

Manioc Dansala....

A manioc (tapioka) dansala was held at the Dam Street Police Station yesterday under the patronage of OIC C.I. Peruruarachchi. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Unending 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 Pradeep Pathirana and Nisal Baduge

Reading at GotaGoGama library

People at the GotaGoGama are seen reading books inside the library after it was renovated. The library was destroyed after it came under attack by goons at the protest site at GotaGoGama. The library is blessed with thousands of books. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Tense situation near Police HQ

A tense situation arose near the Police Head Quarters (HQ) yesterday with the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) demanding response for not taking the attackers into custody who were involved in the recent GotGoGama attack. The union members held a protest march from the Fort Railway Station to the Police Head Quarters, Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Super blood moon dazzles stargazers worldwide

A spectacular ’Super Blood Moon’ lit up the sky on Sunday night and early Monday morning – as two rare lunar events took place at the same time.

Sangika alms giving at GotaGoGama

A ’Sangika Dana’, a special alms giving was offered at GotaGoGama in the Galle Face Green to mark the Vesak Poya Day. Around 100 monks were honoured at this alms giving. A Catholic priest is seen serving food to a Buddhist monk. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Revival of Kuragala

This year’s National ‘Vesak’ Commemoration Ceremony - 2022 was held at the Kuragala Rajamaha Viharaya, which has a proud history of over 2300 years, after it turned a new lease of life on Vesak Poya Day with the participation of Ven Waturakumbure Dhammaratana Thera and General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army. The ‘Revival of Kuragala’ program was completed in 13 months.

Sharing meals on Vesak

Several Dansals were organized for Vesak Poya Day amid the country’s economic crisis. People are seen organizing and participating at Dansals in the Colombo City. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak at Korean Embassy

The Korean Embassy, together with the Korean nationals in Sri Lanka, hosted a Korean food sharing event yesterday in view of the Vesak festival. The event held as part of the Korea Week 2022, which is currently taking place at the Colombo City Centre. The Korean Embassy and the Korean Community prepared Korean traditional meal boxes, spearheaded by Korean Ambassador, Santhush Woonjin JEONG.