Binara Poya day observation at Kelaniya

Buddhist devotees are engaged in devotion on the Binara full moon Poya day at the Kelaniya Temple in Kelaniya today. The establishment of the Bhikkhuni Sasanaya (Bhikkhuni Sangha), or Order of the Female Buddhist Monastic, takes place on Binara Poya when the stepmother of Gautama Buddha, Mahapajapati Gotami, was first ordained. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President meets UN Chief

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met the United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the UN Headquarters yesterday.Pix by Presidential Media Division

Gangaramaya seems deserted

The Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo seemed deserted this morning following the strict travel restrictions imposed by the government due to the COVID pandemic. All religious activities in temples were suspended, and no devotees were allowed to visit temples. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Complaint against deletion of NMRA data

Venerable Matara Ananda Sagara Thera yesterday arrived at the CID to lodge a complaint against the Health Minister and the others over the deletion of the computer data of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA). Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Protest in Fort...

A group of people staged a protest in Fort today urging the authorities to allow them to resume their businesses claiming that the permission has been granted to open wine stores as well.At least two protectors were arrested by the police for violating quarantine laws. Pix Pradeep Dilruckshana

Fish from boats...

Fishermen were seen selling fish from their boats itself due to the prevailing quarantine curfew. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Harvesting...

Picture shows people yield their harvest from their small home-garden during the pandemic period where the entire country was placed under travel restrictions. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Stolen items recovered…

Two suspects involved in a heist at a house in Welipillewa, Ragama where the duo had robbed items worth over Rs. 3 million were arrested by the Ragama Police officers. The team led by Crime OIC, Chief Inspector Asela Perera was able to recover the stolen items in their possession which include 47 gemstones, a wristwatch worth Rs. 65,000, three gold chains, two gold bracelets, two mobile phones, a TV and a motorcycle. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Vaccine to the door...

The Medical teams of the Gothatuwa MOH and the area police officers were engaged in mobile vaccination where immobile and bedridden elderly people are administered with a COVID-19 vaccine. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Waiting for Rs 5,000 allowance…

An allowance of Rs. 5000 is distributed among the senior citizens at every district post and sub-post offices. Pictures show senior citizens are waiting in the queue at the Gampaha Main Post Office. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

60 plus get Sinopharm second dose

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has begun the vaccination drive to provide the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine for immobile and bedridden elderly people in Bambalapitiya, Wellawatte, Kollupitiya. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Checking curfew passes...

The Navy and Police personnel were seen checking curfew passes of people travelling during the quarantine curfew period. The Government today extended the lockdown until October 01. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Long queues for Moderna, Pfizer vaccines

People are seen queued up to get Moderna and Pfizer vaccines at the Army Hospital in Narahenpita today. Pix Pradeep Dilruckshana

Social distancing goes for a toss...

People have started gathering at liquor shops across the country in large numbers, following Government’s decision to open countrywide liquor shops. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

157th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala

The 157th birth anniversary of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala was celebrated at the Maligakanda Mahabodhi Agrasrawaka Maha Viharaya this morning. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Medal Awarding Parade of 6th Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent

The United Nation Service Medal Awarding Parade of 6th Sri Lankan Aviation Contingent, Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was held recently at the Contingent premises in Bria, Central African Republic with all necessary precautionary measures against the COVID 19 pandemic.

'Laksala’ outlet now in Middle East

The signing of the Business Agreement to open the first `Laksala’ franchise outlet in the Middle East was held at the Chairman’s Office in Colombo 07 yesterday. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Back to the hot seat…

Ajith Nivard Cabraal who resigned as an MP, assumed duties as the 16th Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today. Cabraal served as the twelfth Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, from July 2006 to January 2015. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Bohra Community continues its ’Project Rise’ to distribute food

Members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community in Sri Lanka distributed cooked food to health workers and army personnel who were involved in the vaccination drive in the Western Province today. The initiative is part of a world wide project launched by the International Dawoodi Bohra Spiritual Leader, His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin under the ’Project Rise’ program to ensure citizens receive their meals during the pandemic.

Milk scarcity...

Considering the scarcity of milk powder in the country, the Highland Milk Powder outlet in Narahenpita planned to distribute milk powder packets for the people in the area. As such, only two packets of milk powder were sold to each customer. A long queue bears witness to it at the outlet. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Vaccine rollout in full swing

The COVID vaccination drive is in full swing in the country, having completed over 50 percent of the country’s total population with both doses. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Free Rapid Antigen Tests in Colombo

Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) were conducted in the Colombo Municipal Council area today at the Mobile Medical Laboratory at Campbell Grounds, Borella. Laboratory inspectors of the Health Ministry conduct the tests from Monday to Saturday at 9.00 am to 11.00 am. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Post offices busy again

With the postal department deciding to open all post and sub post offices in the country four days per week, the post offices have turned busy again with some pending work. Pix by Samantha Perera

People who bear the brunt...

The daily income earners are the ones who bear the brunt of the present lockdown. Against this backdrop, a vendor who looked disabled was seen eagerly expecting a customer in Pettha. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

PCR tests on RPS staffers

The staff members of the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPS) were subject to PCR and Antigen Tests as the last T20 match between Sri Lanka and South Africa is to be held today. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

CAA Inspection...

Western Province, Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Deputy Director Abdul Azees Jawzar and officials today visited the sugar and rice wholesalers and retailers at 5th Cross Street, Pettah, to inspect whether the goods are being sold at controlled prices stipulated by the government. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

New Kelani Bridge lights up...

The New Kelani Bridge, where construction has almost completed, was lit up in stunning colours last evening. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

They also face the risk, don’t they?

Construction workers are engaged in construction work despite the countrywide quarantine curfew bearing the risk of COVID-19. Pix by Samantha Perera

Large sugar stocks seized

A warehouse with 2,400 metric tons of sugar belonging to a leading company in Colombo was sealed by the officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Vaccination drive continues...

Vaccination rollouts are being carried out in the Colombo district at the Vihara Maha Devi Park and at Diyatha Uyana at Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.