More than 60% of MPs are my friends: Club Wasantha

Suresh Wasantha Perera, alias ’Club Wasantha’, who was shot dead this week had revealed in an interview with Danu Innasithamby on the Lankadeepa YouTube channel on November 18, 2022 that more than 60 percent of those in Parliament are his friends. Here are some of the photos of ’Club Wasantha’ with politicians, being shared on social media.

Fire breaks out at National Library

A fire broke out earlier today at the assembly hall of the National Library in Colombo, affecting the Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka.

Qatar Airways marks new milestone

Qatar Airways marked a new milestone by introducing its sixth daily flight from Doha to Colombo today.

Bohra community gathers in Colombo

Members of the Dawoodi Bohra community, visiting Sri Lanka, stroll through the streets of Colombo on July 9, 2024. Around fifteen thousand members from countries including India have gathered for the convention co-hosted by Sri Lanka.

Memorable welcome

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed his ’memorable welcome’ in Moscow.

Give sufficient wage for living

The State and Provincial State Service Trade Union Collective protested in front of the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry today, demanding their Rs. 25,000 allowance and a sufficient wage for living. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi.

Gen. Silva attends Rwanda’s ’Liberation Day 30’

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva, currently on an official visit to Rwanda, attended the ’KWIBOHORA 30’ (’Liberation Day 30’) National ceremony at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. During the event, he also had a cordial discussion with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The ceremony commemorated the 30th anniversary of Rwanda’s liberation, making it a notable occasion for both Rwanda and the international military delegations in attend

Ananda Walk 2024

Thousands of Anandians both present and past pupils including prominent bureaucrats, public figures and military leaders took to streets today to take part in the Ananda Walk 2024 under one banner of ‘Educate and Empower to Serve Mother Lanka’.

It’s time to decide...

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, MP Namal Rajapaksa, and Dhamika Perera attended a rally organized by SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena in Kalutara yesterday. President Wickremesinghe said that he joined the Rajapaksas and SLPP to save the nation. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kandy Book Fair at KCC

The Kandy Book Fair is currently happening at the Kandy City Centre (KCC). It is organized by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association and will run till tomorrow, July 7.

Starmer takes PM helm...

Britain’s head of state King Charles III officially appointed Labour leader Keir Starmer as prime minister on Friday during an audience at Buckingham Palace. A photograph released by the palace showed the monarch shaking hands with Starmer, whose party won a landslide election victory. The king earlier accepted the resignation of Conservative leader Rishi Sunak.

Launch of 'He is Ari'...

Media icon Ariya Rubasinghe’s biography, ‘He is Ari” was launched at the Government Information Department amidst a group of distinguished guests, including Minister of Transport and Media Bandula Gunawardene, SJB MPs S.M. Marikkar and Chief Incumbent of Bellanwila temple, Chief Sanga Nayaka Singapore, Venerable Bellanwila Dhammarathana Thera and Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake. Pictured here is the presentation of the first copy.

Work on flyover...

A group of construction workers on the flyover leading to the Colombo-Slave Island railway line. This flyover is scheduled to be opened next week. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Construction Expo 2024 opens in Colombo

The Construction Power and Energy Expo 2024 organized by the Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services (LECS) kicked off today at the BMICH, Colombo. The Construction Power & Energy Expo is Sri Lanka’s premier exhibition in the construction, interior products, power, and energy-related sectors. On this occasion, Sri Lanka Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong attended as a special guest. The exhibition will be held until July 7. Pix by Kithsiri

Against ilmenite mining, shrimp farming

Fishermen and the people in Vakarai, Batticaloa today held a protest march from Kaddumurivu Junction to Puchchakkerni Post Office protesting against the rapid removal of ilmenite from the coastal regions and the impacts of shrimp farming on their livelihood and the environment.

Remains of R. Sampanthan brought to Jaffna

Remains of former Opposition Leader and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan were brought to Jaffna today for public to pay their last respects.

Parliamentarians pay last respects to Sampanthan

The remains of former Opposition Leader and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan were brought to the parliamentary complex today for MPs to pay their last respects. MPs from all parties were present. The remains will be taken to Trincomalee, where the last rites will be performed on Sunday, July 7.

Lion cub named Haider

The six-month-old lion cub, which was rejected by its mother, was named today at an event organized to commemorate the 88th anniversary of the Dehiwala Zoological Department.

Dehiwala Zoo celebrates 88th anniversary

The Dehiwala Zoological Department celebrates its 88th anniversary today. Founded in 1936, the zoo held several prize-giving events for children who submitted drawings for the occasion. A ceremonial cake was cut and shared with a lion cub.

Navy undertakes dive to WW II shipwreck of HMS Hermes

The Diving Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy explored the sunken remains of HMS Hermes, a fascinating and historic World War II shipwreck off Batticaloa.

UNP zonal organizers appointed

President Ranil Wickremesinghe distributed letters of appointment to United National Party (UNP) zonal organizers at the party headquarters, Sirikotha yesterday (July 2, 2024). UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, Chairman Vajira Abeywardana, Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, National Organizer Sagala Ratnayake, and former Minister Ravi Karunanayake were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

MR pays respects to late R. Sampanthan

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid his final respects to the late TNA Parliamentarian R. Sampanthan in Colombo today.

Last respects to Sampanthan

The remains of former Opposition Leader and TNA MP the late R. Sampanthan were placed at a private funeral parlour in Borella this morning from 9 am, allowing the public to pay their final respects. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Monastic education institution established

The International Institute of Theravada (IIT) a monastic institution for the education of Buddhist monks situated in Karuwalagaswewa has been established under a special parliamentary act that was presented to the House by former President Maithreepala Sirisena.

Protests in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron and his allies this morning launched a fresh week of intense campaigning hours after their party was humiliated last night in the first round of parliamentary elections by the hard-right National Rally (RN).

Laundrywatte...

Laundrywatte, a locality in the heart of Colombo, is home to the dhobi community, who have been engaged in washing loads of dirty linen collected from various places for generations. This community, residing around the Beira Lake, has been in this profession since 1928, according to historical records. Pix by Nisal Baduge

1 million tourist arrival marked

Sri Lanka tourism reached a key milestone on Saturday, welcoming its one millionth tourist for 2024. The millionth tourist was Patricia Roe and her husband Paul from Ireland, who arrived on 29 June on UL 504 from London. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB), this is their first visit to the island nation.

Explosion at Turkish restaurant

Five people were killed and at least 63 injured in a gas explosion at a restaurant in Turkey on Sunday, the country’s interior minister said.

Exhibition of stamps, coins...

An exhibition of vintage stamps organized by Sri Lanka Independent Philatelic Association was launched at the Public Library in Colombo. Several rare stamps including Sri Lanka’s first stamp and other vintage coins are also exhibited and sold at this exhibition, which will be held till Sunday (30).

What is the next operation?

MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka discusses a point with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the function to mark his book launch today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana