132 years of academic excellence

The 132nd anniversary of Kotte Ananda Shastralaya was celebrated yesterday with an all-night pirith chanting ceremony and alms giving to invoke blessings. The annual commemoration was held under the patronage of the school Principal Priyashantha Maddumarala and OBA President Brig. Bohran with the participation of students and well-wishers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

BMICH hosts Industry 2022

The ’’Industry-2022’’ National Industrial Exhibition was inaugurated at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (MBICH). Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa Inaugurated the event. The exhibition is dedicated to more than 20 industries and will be held until Sunday (6). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Protest by unemployed graduates

Unemployed graduates today engaged in a protest march from Colombo Fort to the Presidential Secretariat demanding immediate employment for all graduates. Pix Nisal Baduge

Invoke blessings on the nation

A pirith ceremony was held yesterday at the Independence Square in view of the 74th Independence Day, which is scheduled to be held tomorrow (4) and to invoke blessings on the country. The pirith chanting ceremony held under the patronage of State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa. Following that, alms giving was held at the Gangarama Temple in Colombo. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Independence Day Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the 74th Independence Day celebrations was held at Independence Square today with the participation of members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defense Force, the National Cadet Corps and a group of school children. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Pregnant nurses in protest

A group of pregnant nurses attached to the Colombo National Hospital staged a protest outside the hospital today urging authorities to implement a special leave procedure for pregnant nurses and not to summon COVID-19 infected nurses to work. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

One million tree planting program launched

The inauguration ceremony to plant one million trees was held at the Slave Island Police station today. This program was jointly conducted by the Sri Lanka Police and Lions District 306 B2 in line with the 74th Independence Day. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Third dose rollout at DRP

The Sri Lanka Army Medical team yesterday conducted a program to administer the third dose of booster vaccination for the staff of the Department of Registration of Persons (DRP) at Battaramulla. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Remove GSMB Director General...

The Joint Trade Union Alliance yesterday staged a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat calling on the President to remove the current Director General of the National Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau (GSMB), whom they accused of occupying his office by force. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

New bridge across Nawala canal in Rajagiriya

Sixty per cent of the construction work of the new bridge across the Nawala canal in Rajagiriya as a solution to the heavy traffic jam in Ethul Kotte-Nawala road has been completed and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando instructed officials to expedite the work to complete the construction to eliminate heavy traffic congestion during rush hours.

Commemorating slain and disappeared journalists

The Sri Lanka Young journalists Association and Journalists for Rights organized an event today to commemorate the journalists who have been slain and disappeared within the month of January during the past few years. A women, who is a relative of a slain journalist is pictured here with a lit candle in memory of her loved one. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Black Drongo celebrate 31st Anniversary of Glory

“Black Drongos” celebrate 31st Anniversary of Glory on February 1, 2022. On February 1,1991, four F 7 BS fighters, one FT 7 B trainer and two FT 5 trainers arrived in Sri Lanka and this gave birth to the No. 5 Fighter Squadron. Squadron Leader HD Abeywickrema was appointed as its first Commanding Officer. The present Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana was also a founder member of the No .5 Fighter Squadron.

Tourist arrivals...

Large number of foreigners are seen taking a stroll in the City of Colombo today. Sri Lanka welcomed a total of 76,538 visitors to the country for the first 29 days of the month, out of which, the majority was from the Russian Federation. During this period, 12,368 tourists came from Russia, 11,028 from India, and 7,427 from Ukraine. Some 6,929 tourists travelled from the UK, 4,902 from Germany, and 3,337 from France. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Independence Day rehearsals

The Sri Lankan security forces staged rehearsal yesterday at the Independence Square in preparation for the 74th Independence Day celebrations. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ahead of Independence Day…

The vendors in Colombo were also seen selling national flags for the Independence Day celebration. Tailors were also seen making National Flags at a small shop in Colombo. Sri Lanka will celebrate its 74th Independence Day on February 4. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Lebanon bound troops present salute to Army Chief

The Passing out Parade of the 13th Force Protection Company (FPC), bound for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), together with women soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) presented the customary salute to the Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva during a formal arrangement, held at the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regimental Headquarters at Panagoda. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Distribution of seeds and plants...

The distribution of seeds and plants under the Saubhagya Home Garden Project was launched yesterday under the patronage of MP Madhura Withanage in Kotte. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

No justice yet…

A demonstration was held outside the Fort Railway Station today to draw attention to the killing of several journalists in Sri Lanka where leaflets were distributed to the public calling for support to ensure justice for the journalists. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachci

Beetroot smuggled inside potato shipment seized

A large stock of beetroot worth over Rs.3.2 million, which had been smuggled into the country concealed inside a shipment of potatoes against the import laws, was seized by Sri Lanka Customs today. The stock which weighed 16,000 metric tons of beetroot was hidden inside a 40-foot reefer container filled with another 44,000 metric tons of potatoes. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Honorary title decreed on Ven. Palatuwe Jinaratana Thera

Venerable Palatuwe Jinaratana Thera, a resident monk of Colombo Gangarama Vihare, and the Principal of Jinaratana Technical Institute was decreed the honorary title “Pravachana Keerthi Shri Chandraratana.’’ The priests of Malwattu Chapter and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene handed over the documents in connection with the title and the appointment. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Resolve our salary issues...

Railway Workers Collective staged a protest in front of the Railways Department in Maradana today over some demands including resolving their salary issues and abolishing the post of Technical Assistant. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Road to Ratmalana airport gets facelift...

Following instructions from the Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday, the Road Development Authority (RDA) has initiated the completion and upgrading of the access road to the Ratmalana airport today. Yesterday, the Minister instructed the RDA to complete repairs to the access road within 20 days. Pix by Samantha Perera

Reinstate zoo DG

All Ceylon Zoological Gardens Employees Union and Zoolical Gardens Podu Sevaka Sangamaya and the Veterinarian Association of Dehiwala zoo staged a protest calling for reinstating National Zoological Gardens Director General Shermila Rajapaksa who stepped away from duties recently. Some trade unions at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and Ridigama Safari Park also joined their colleagues and staged simultaneous protests placing similar demand.

Hospital for Airmen

A foundation stone was laid by Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) for the construction of a hospital for the Sri Lanka Air force. The event held at the Kirimandala Mawatha in Narahenpita. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Invoke blessings on the Nation

More than 1,000 Buddhist monks, drawn from all corners of the country, including the Maha Nayaka and Anunayaka Theras at the invitation of the Defence Ministry gathered at the BMICH premises last evening (26).

India’s 73rd Republic Day celebrations

Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka celebrated India’s 73rd Republic Day in Colombo yesterday. It was on 26 January 1950 that the world’s largest written constitution came into force.

Waiting for their medicines...

People are seen gathered in front of the Rajya Osu Sala (SPC) near Town Hall for their medicine requirements. The patients who were channeled by the general hospital doctors are sent to the Osu Sala to buy the required medicines. Today, a group of health workers, including 16 health unions, held a one-day strike based on several demands. The six-hour strike began at 7.00 am. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Tourists flock Arugambay beach

Many local and foreign tourists are seen flocking the Arugambay beach with the decline of Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe

Health Professionals in protest...

The Health Professionals’ Federation staged a protest in Colombo today over several demands including salary anomalies. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirsinghe

UNP rally at Galle Town

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday held a protest in the Galle Town with the partipation of Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and Chairman Vajira Abeywardene. The protesters marched towards the Galle bus stand and held a rally. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana