Protest by Teacher Educators...

All Island Teacher Educator Service Officers’ Trade Union today staged a protest in front of the Education Ministry calling for the authorities to convert the diploma courses they follow into degree programs.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Beseeching divine help...

A number of Catholic priests and nuns were seen gathered outside the Supreme Court (SC) and praying for Rev. Fr Cyril Gamini whose case is to be taken up for hearing today. Meanwhile, a demonstration was held near the SC urging the Government to mete out justice for Easter Sunday victims by revealing the truth behind the mayhem. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Awareness on COVID-19

Police together with Unilever Sri Lanka Limited launched a campaign in Borella to create awareness on COVID-19 pandemic today. Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennekoon and large number of children participated in it. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Basic health guidelines ignored

People were seen at the Galle Face Green in Colombo enjoying their leisure time after authorities lifted the COVID travel restrictions. However, the health authorities have again issued warnings about increasing coronavirus cases in the community. Most of the people seen walking were not wearing face masks. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Brief felicitation ceremony

A brief felicitation ceremony was held at the Police Field Force Headquarters in honour of outgoing Officer in Charge of Environment unit of the Narahenpita Police Station SI S.R.M.A Rajapaksa under the patronage of SSP Roshan Rajapakse, the Director of the Police Environment Protection Division. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Cycling challenge 2021

The Nestomalt ’Cycling Challenge 2021’ was held yesterday, at the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo, with the participation of over 200 professional cyclists from around the country. Organized by the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka under the guidance of the Youth and Sports Ministry. The event was sponsored by Nestomalt, as part of its ambition to provide a positive start. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Tourists trickle in Golden Temple of Dambulla

Some tourists and locals were seen engaged in religious observances at the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple which is also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla. Pix by Samantha Perera

Nearing completion...

The Civil Security Department workers were seen bringing bricks for the Seya which is the first Chaithya to be constructed in the historical city of Anuradhapura. The Chaithya is nearing completion and is scheduled to be inaugurated (kotha paladavima) by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on November 18. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A blue whale washed ashore

A 35-foot-long dead whale has washed ashore on the beach near the Hikkaduwa bridge this morning. Hikkaduwa Wildlife Sanctuary custodian Uthpala Adaranga said it was a blue whale and people were urged not to gather in the area. Pix by Sugathapala Deeyagahage

COVID forgotten too soon?

People were seen at the Nilaveli beach ignoring all health guidelines on Friday. Health authorities have warned of another wave in December if health guidelines are ignored by the people as the Delta variant continued to pose a risk throughout the island. Pix by Samantha Perera

Preparing for the Yala season

Farmers are seen getting their paddy fields ready for the Yala season harvest. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Wild elephants

Wild elephants were seen wondering off a motorway near a wildlife preserve in Galgamuwa today. Asian elephants, that live to reach the age of 70, are increasingly straying into human settlements in search of food, as people encroach on their territory.It is estimated that by 2022, the number of wild elephants in Sri Lanka will be around 7500. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest against US company deal

Workers from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) protested today near the Colombo Port, against a deal signed by the Sri Lankan government with a US company regarding the operation of the proposed LNG power plant in Kerawalapitiya.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

1st Pfizer dose administered on students

Administering the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on students aged between 16 and 19 continued at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) on Friday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Mission to produce organic fertilizer

The Civil Security Department in the Wilpattu National Park has embarked on a mission to produce organic fertilizer in line with a program launched by the Sri Lankan government to popularize organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer. Members of the Civil Security Department are seen working in an organic manufacturing plant in Wilpattu today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

In support of teachers’ TU action...

A group of students and the staff of the Open University today staged a protest outside the Open University, in support of the trade union action of the Principals and teachers.They urged the officials to resolve their issues without delay.PIx by Pradeep Dilruckshana

FR petition against taking over UDA

A group of SJB parliamentarians today filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court against the gazette issued by the President to take over the Urban Development Authority. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Demanding Rs.10,000 salary increase

The All Island Railway Employees Union today staged a protest in front of the Railways head quarters in Colombo, requesting the department to increase their salaries by Rs.10,000 to survive the current cost of living. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A letter to UGC

A letter was handed over to the University Grants Commission (UGC) over the injustice done to the 2020 Advanced Level (A/L) students with the issuance of cut-off marks. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Army Commander meets with Northern Province Governor

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva undertook a special visit to Jaffna yesterday.The Army Commander called on the Governor of the Northern Province Jeevan Theagarajah at his official residence in Jaffna. A lengthy discussion was held between the two parties to strengthen the lives of the people in the Northern Province.

Deepavali at opposition leader’s office

A Deepavali celebration was held at the opposition leader’s office today with the participation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as the chief guest.Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Hindu devotees observe Deepavali festival

Picture shows religious observances are being held at Kotahena Sri Ponnambalawaneswarar Temple on account of the Deepavali festival today. The poojas were held maintaining strict health guidelines with only a handful of people attending due to the pandemic situation. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Now kerosene queues...!

People are waiting in long queues near the Orugodawatta filling station and in the Slave Island areas, as more people are forced to buy kerosene due to the shortage of domestic gas in the country. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Interview to recruit personnel for STF

Nearly one thousand aspirants who have qualified to appear for interviews for the post of Sub Inspectors, Police Constables and Women Police Constables for the Special Task Force of Police (STF) participated at an interview held today at the Henry Pedris Grounds, Colombo. STF said over 18,000 applications were received for those posts. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Against selling of Kerawalapitiya shares

The Joint Alliance of Ceylon Electricity Board and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation staged a protest outside the Ceylon Electricity Board head office against the agreement signed with the US Company to hand over shares of the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant. Pix by Padeep Dilrukshana

NSB protest

The NSB Trade Union Alliance held a protest urging several demands including to expedite the signing of collective agreement for 2021/2023. Pix by Nisal Baduge

SJB members at AG’s office

Several SJB members handed over a letter to the Attorney General’s Office requesting certain information including whether how many indictments filed by the AG have been withdrawn after November 19, 2019. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Gas scarcity ended....

People are seen walking with their refilled Litro gas cylinders from an outlet in Slave Island. The LP gas shortage in the country ended after several shipments with LP gas have arrived at the Colombo ports recently. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

CPC protest...

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) staged a protest at the Kolonnawa oil installation yard over several demands, including urging to bring the Trincomalee oil tank farm under the CPC administration. Pix by NImalsiri Edirisinghe

Demanding pay hike for nursers

The All Ceylon Nurses’ Union (ACNU) today staged a protest opposite the Colombo National Hospital demanding increment to their salaries in line with the rising cost of living. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe