Vesak Pandols to light up Colombo

Streets in Colombo were decorated with pandols to welcome Vesak day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Distributing dry rations

The Buddhist Brotherhood of Royal College yesterday distributed dry rations to the needy People in the event of Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. Around 500 packs of dry rations were distributed. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Presidential pardon for prisoners on Vesak Day

Several prisoners were released from the Welikada Prison on a presidential pardon given due to Vesak Poya Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak Poya

Devotees are seen engaging in religious observance at the Kelaniya Temple to mark the Vesak Poya Day, today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Pradeep Pathirana

Needy families get dry rations

Around 2,000 packs of dry rations were distributed to the needy families at Uruwal Peruwa in Mahara by businessman Hasith Gunasekara. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisingha

US Ambassador meets AKD

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung met JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today.

Preparing for Vesak

Vesak lanterns seen selling at a temporarily built hut in Colombo. Vendors have put up lanterns, Buddhist flags and other decorations at display at their shops. Pix by Nisal Baduge, Kushan Pathiraja and Pradeep Pathirana

Ranil assumes duties...

Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed duties at the Prime Minister’s Office this morning.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Appears before HRCSL...

Western Province DIG Deshabandu Tennekoon arrived at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) this morning for an inquiry over a complaint lodged on the attack on protesters at ’GotaGoGama’ and ’MainaGoGama’ recently. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Vesak Pandol at Dematagoda coming up...

Pictures show enthusiasts are engaged in giving final touches to Dematagoda Vesak Pandol (Thorana) to celebrate the Vesak celebration. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Stitching Buddhist flags...

The picture shows employees of a self-owned business in Demetagoda stitching Buddhist flags to be sold to the public in light of the Vesak festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge

New PM at Gangarama Temple

Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in religious observances at the Gangarama Temple, Hunupitiya after the swearing in yesterday. UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardene were also present at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Newly-appointed PM engages in religious observances

Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe engages in religious observances at Walukarama Temple, Kollupitiya. Monks are seen invoking blessings on the new PM. Mr. Wickremesinghe became Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the sixth time. He was appointed following the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who resigned from the post on May 9. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

People rush to streets after curfew lifted

People rush to streets after curfew lifted Following the lifting of the curfew for a few hours today, people were seen taking to the streets to buy goods. Some of them were seen catching a bus to go to the offices. The Fort Railway Station was seen deserted as long-distance trains were not operating today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Soldiers on high alert in the city

Picture shows soldiers standing alert at road blocks to check pedestrian and vehicular movements, as the curfew is temporarily lifted. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Endless agony continues...

People are standing in long queues to buy kerosene in Kotahena yesterday, as the nation suffers without fuel, gas, kerosene, medicine etc. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Army Chief at HRCSL

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva arrived at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL). Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Heavy security in Colombo...

Sri Lanka army was seen operating road blocks to check people travelling during the curfew in Colombo. Army motorcycle squad is also deployed to maintain security. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Security tightened

Tri forces had been deployed to tighten security in the Colombo City following recent violent clashes. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

’GotaGoGama’ back to its old glory...

The GotaGoGama was rebuit this evening after the site was attacked and vandalised by pro-government goons yesterday. A protest organised by the Trade Union Alliance paraded to the GotaGoGama and provided food for the people who were staying at the site. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Colombo, Gampaha during curfew...

The Colombo City and Gampaha looks calm and the streets are deserted as island-wide curfew was clamped down yesterday until 7.00 am on Wednesday. Six people have been reported died and nearly 200 injured. The nation plunged into chaos after a group of government supporters attacked the peaceful protesters opposite Temple Trees and at Galle Face on Monday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Kushan Pathiraja

Debris...

Security was tightened yesterday in Colombo as the picture shows debris were strewn everywhere as a result of violent clashes between pro and anti government supporters on Monday. Around six people died and more than 200 injured in the skirmishes. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Aftermath the clashes...

Several vehicles including buses which were used to bring goons to disrupt the peaceful protests at Galle Face Green were seen vandalised and burnt. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana, Kushana Pathiraja, Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Pradeep Pathirana

Clashes...

A tense situation was reported at the ’GotaGoGama’ after the pro Mahinda supporters attacked the protesters at the ’GotaGoGama’. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Nimal Edirisinghe

’Stay on’

A group of supporters of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen gathered outside Temple Trees in Colombo to urge him not to resign from the post of PM.Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Army Chief visits Jaffna

General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army today graced an inaugural occasion as the Chief Guest to handed over Park for Sports, Recreation and Education Support to the local in Jaffna. The constructions of the park were carried out by the the 51 Division HQ of the Security Force HQ-Jaffna in line with the ’Army Way Forward Strategy-2020-2025’.

Preparing for Vesak

With the Vesak festival just around the corner, people were seen busy buying Vesak decorations in the areas in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

’By hook or by crook’

A group of people who gathered at Armour Street, Colombo today obstructed and stopped a lorry transporting gas cylinders and forcibly took some gas cylinders. It is reported that some 100 gas cylinders went missing.

Colombo Uni. student’s protest

Colombo Uni. student’s protest A group of students of the University of Colombo staged a protest outside the university urging the President and the government to resign. Pix by Nisal Baduge

PM visits Anuradhapura

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Anuradhapura this morning to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Protests were also reported in several areas against the Prime Minister’s visit. Pix by B.G. Chaturanga