Demanding release of student activists

The Student Movement for Free Education today staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Justice demanding the immediate release of the student activists who have been imprisoned for more than 75 days. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Classroom greets the lone attendee...

Although the Government announced that the schools where there are students numbering below 200 are reopened from today, the turnout of children to schools was extremely low due to the strike action of teachers and principals not to report for duty. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja and Pradeep Pathirana

First ever sextuplet birth in SL

The first-ever sextuplet birth was reported at a private hospital in Colombo, as a 31-year-old mother gave birth to six babies. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Schools get facelift before reopening

Schools with less than 200 students were cleaned up before the reopening today. Here’s how Sunethra Devi Primary School is being given the final touches by the parents before reopening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

UNP’s new digital app launched

UNP Leader and Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday launched the party’s new digital app and digital membership drive. UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and party Chairman Vajira Abeywardene are also present at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Nitrogen liquid fertilizer to warehouse

Steps have been taken to transport the Nitrogen liquid fertilizer brought from India to be stored in a state-owned warehouse in Wattala today. The first batch of nano liquid nitrogen fertilizer reached Colombo from India. This is to be used on agricultural activities during the Maha season in the country. The fertilizer is 45 metric tons in weight. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Religious observances at Bellanwila

Devotees at the Bellanwila Temple are seen taking part in religious observances on Vap Full Moon Poya day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Getting ready to reopen schools...

As the schools where there are students numbering below 200 are reopened for academic activities from tomorrow, the schools were cleaned, washed and fumigated with the help of parents, teachers and health workers. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Vap Poya Day...

Devotees at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo and Egoda Kelaniya Temple in Kelaniya are seen taking part in religious observances on Vap Full Moon Poya day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Kithsiri de Mel

Final rites of Bandula Warnapura

The final rites of Sri Lanka’s first Test Captain Bandula Warnapura was held at the Borella cemetery today with the participation of a large number of people including past cricketers. Pix by Pradeep Dilruksana

Tree planting on account of Meelad-un-Nabi day

A tree planting ceremony was held at Maradana Jumma mosque on account of the Meelad-un-Nabi (birthday of Prophet Muhammad) festival today. The event was organised by the Religious and Cultural Affairs Department. All the religious leaders, including Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, and Islamics participated in the programme. Minister of Justice Ali Sabri was the chief guest at the event. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Milad UN Nabi falls today

The Colombo Municipal Council, it’s Town Hall complex seen decorated to mark Milad UN Nabi, Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary .Pix by Nisal Baduge

Still unemployed…

The Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates was seen gathered before the Ministry of Public Service, Provincial Councils and Local Government yesterday expecting an opportunity to discuss their unemployment issues with relevant authorities. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

SL builds two vessels for Iraq

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) has technically completed and dispatched two vessels to Iraq; Buoy Tender Vessel “Al-Faw” and Pilot Station Vessel “Shatt Al-Arab”, for General Company for Port of Iraq (GCPI).

Calling for reopening of Universities...

The Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) today staged a protest at the Kelaniya university premises against the alleged suppression of students and calling for the reopening of the universities. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

GA steps into politics to defend women’s rights

Former Government Agent of Kegalle District Prema Dissanayake was unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Kegalle District Women’s Power Board of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party at the District Power and Energy Board meeting held recently.

RATs on women Rugby team...

The players of the Sri Lanka Women’s National Rugby Team were subjected to Rapid Antigen Tests at the Sugathadasa Outdoor Stadium, Colombo today as they are preparing themselves to participate in Rugby Series in Dubai next month. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Busy...

Traders at weekly fairs in Karagampitiya, Mount Lavinia and Delkanda are busy selling their produce and goods despite the meagre customer turn out yesterday. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Search operation at Kottawa exit

An emergency search operation was conducted by the police attached to the Kottawa Exit point of the Southern Expressway today. The search was conducted following the orders of Express Highway Tourist Police Division Director K.J. Pushpakumara by the chief inspector of police attached to the Kottawa interchange, Priyashantha. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Strict surveillance

Special security arrangements are in place at exit and entrance points on the expressway to check people who were violating provincial travel restrictions. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Russian submarines and warship dock in Colombo

A squadron of the Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet which included the Corvette ‘Gremyashchiy’ and submarines ‘B – 603’ and ‘B – 274’ arrived at the Colombo harbour today.

Against rising cost of living...

A protest organized by the SJB was held outside the Fort Railway Station against the rising cost of living and gas prices. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Pfizer rollout for late teens...

The pilot project to administer Pfizer Vaccine to students who are going to sit for G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, kicked off today from the Colombo District. Pix by Nisal Baduge, Waruna Wanniarachchi, Nimalsiri Edirisinghe, Pradeep Pathirana and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Leave only your footprints...

The devotees who visited the ’Wadasiti Kanda’ in Kataragama have littered the area with used face masks, empty plastic bottles, polythene and plastic wrappers. Picture shows the area is heavily littered. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Long queues to buy milk powder

People are seen waiting in long queues to buy a packet of milk powder in Colombo. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Gajaba regiment commemorates its 38th anniversary

The 38th Anniversary of the Gajaba Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army was held today at the Gajaba Regimental HQ at Saliyapura in Anuradhapura with the participation of Indian Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Mukund Naravane and Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva.

Release detained Uni. students...

Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station calling for the release of university students who are held in custody and abolition of the Kotelawala Defense University Bill. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ayurvedic employees in protest

The All Ceylon Ayurveda Health Service Association (ACAHSA) today staged a protest opposite the Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital, Borella against the move to suspend the allowance of Rs. 7,500 given to health workers during the period of COVID-19 pandemic and several other demands. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Zoo animals with their 'Lockdown' offspring

Animals like Hippopotamus, Japanese Sika Deer, Nilgai, and Mouse Dear were seen with their cubs at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens after having given births during the lockdown period. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Launch of UNP affiliated Buddhist Organization

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara were seen with Venerable Ambanpola Gnanaloka Thera at the launch of the UNP affiliated Buddhist Organization at Sirikotha. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana