Explodes just minutes after lift off

The first rocket launched by private aerospace company Firefly has exploded just minutes after blasting off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Necessity has no law....?

People are seen busy buying daily needs at the economic centre in Narahenpita today defying curfew hours. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Waiting for their allowances...

Senior citizens’ allowances and other allowances are disbursed every district post and sub post offices. Picture shows Senior citizens are waiting in the queue at the Grandpass and Kotahena post offices. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe, Waruna Wanniarachchi and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Manning Market turns busy

New Peliyagoda Manning Market was open today enabling farmers to sell their produce conveniently under one roof. Vendors are seen piling large stocks of vegetables to sell them on wholesale. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Cardboard coffins to cremate COVID victims

Picture shows a dead body of a COVID-19 victim being taken in a cardboard coffin made by the Dehiwela-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council to the Nedimala Cemetery in Dehiwala for cremation. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Quarantine centre for City Traffic Cops

A quarantine centre for City Traffic Police officers opened today in Gunasinghapura. Deputy Inspector General of Police Desabandu Tennakoon, DIG City Traffic Sarath Kumara and other police officers participated in the event. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Sugar, Sugar, Sugar...

Workers are seen loading sugar into a container truck at a private warehouse after Sri Lankan officials confiscated large consignment of sugar as part of a crackdown on hoarding in Wattala, suburbs of Colombo, yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Vaccination drive continues at Viharamahadevi Park

People living in the Western Province today received the Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at the Viharamahadevi open air Park in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Essential needs...

Vendors and people in Pettah, the trade hub of the city, are seen equally busy handling, loading and unloading essential goods even during the quarantine curfew. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vaccination drive for 30 plus on full swing

Officers attached to MOH divisions, Army and Police jointly administer the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine for people over 30 years at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium today. Pix Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Gampaha MC mobile vaccination drive for elders

Mobile vaccination drive was carried out in the Karanayakamulla area in Gampaha Municipal Council area today for the elders and those who are suffering from various non communicable diseases. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Marine drive up to Dehiwela ready next month

The Marine Drive from Kollupitiya to Dehiwala, which facilitates traffic between Ramakrishna Road and Dehiwala Bridge, is scheduled to open this month, yet to be completed due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation. It is expected to open next month. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

SL Mission in Japan felicitates medal winning athletes

Sri Lanka Mission in Japan felicitated the Paralympic medal winning athletes who have made Sri Lanka proud, with a presentation ceremony. Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera and the prelates from the Lanka Ji vihara blessed the athletes and made a gift from the temple.

PCR tests conducted in Wellawatte

A health team of the Colombo Municipal Council carried out PCR tests on residents of Wellawatte as a precautionary measure to fully contain the COVID-19 virus in the country. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Troops donate blood

A blood donation camp organized by the Sri Lanka Army under the direction of Army Commander General Shavendra Silva and the suppervison of Major General Sujeewa Senarathyapa, Commander, Security Forces-West was held at the Panagoda Bodhi Rajaramaya (Army Temple) today. Around 250 troops donated blood during the day which was conducted by the National Blood Centre, Narahempita, Regional Blood Centres in Kaluthara and Ragama.Pix by Nisal Baduge

It’s a long wait...

People are seen queueing up to get their goods at the Maligawatta Sathosa outlet. Due to the rapid spreading of COVID pandemic situation, the people are not allowed to enter the Sathosa outlets. People are asked to hand over their list of goods to the counter for their purchases. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Receiving Rs. 2,000 allowance...

People in the 181 Grama Niladhari division of the Ragama Divisional Secretariat yesterday received Rs. 2,000 allowance. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

First COVID-19 intermediate Treatment Centre for Buddhist clergy

Sri Lanka’s first COVID-19 intermediate Treatment Centre for Buddhist monks was opened today by Army Commander Shavendra Silva. The International Vipassana Meditation Centre in Colombo, which was converted into a treatment centre has the capacity of accommodating 84 monks. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

The mission is ready to move...

The COVID-19 vaccines are seen being preparing for distribution in the Polonnaruwa, Batticoloa, and Trincomalee areas. Pictures show the employees at the Central Vaccine Stores (CVS) in Colombo packing them into containers for distribution. Pix by Waruna Wanniaarachchi

It’s all for living...

People who engage in small time fishing along Elakanda and Uswetakeiyawa areas are seen heap their catch on the roadside in view to earn some means for living. Pix by Waruna Wanniaarachchi

Gold for Sri Lanka in Paralympics

Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha won the first Gold Medal for Sri Lanka at the Tokyo Paralympics after he set a new World Record in the Men’s F46 Javelin Throw with a distance of 67.79m

Peliyagoda Manning Market turns busy again

The Peliyagoda Manning market was open today enabling farmers to sell their produce conveniently under one roof. Vendors are seen piling large stocks of vegetables to sell them on wholesale. Pix by Samantha Perera

Rs. 2,000 allowance for 70+

People in the New-Bazar Grama Niladhari division of the Colombo Divisional Secretariat yesterday received Rs. 2,000 allowance. Some 107 people over 70 years of age who have lost their livelihoods and who don’t get any government allowance. 23 of them were disabled and four of them were suffering from kidney disorder. Pix by Samatha Perera

Lending a helping hand...

Police officers from the Dam Street police station distributed lunch packets to paupers who are living on the sidewalks in Pettah. It was a great solace for them at the time the whole country is under quarantine curfew. Dam Street police OIC, CI Ajith Peduruarchchi and other officials participated in the event and distributed over 400 lunch packets. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Cardboard coffins for cremation

The Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council has begun a project to produce coffins made out of cardboard. MC Member Priyantha Sahabandu spearheads the project. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vaccination rollout at Viharamahadevi park on full swing

People living in Colombo area are seen receiving their Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at the Viharamahadevi Park open air vaccination centre today. Retired soldiers of the SL Army Medical Corps participated in the voluntary programme. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Getting ready for 'stay indoors' further

Following government’s decision to extend the current islandwide lockdown till September 6, people are seen rushing to buy household needs to manage such period. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Pettah lightened up again...

Vendors and people in Pettah, the trade hub of the city, are seen equally busy handling, loading and unloading essential goods despite the quarantine curfew and inclement weather conditions. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Invoking blessings to late Minister

A religious event was held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple today to invoke blessings to late former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. The event was held with the participation of former President Mithripala Sirisena and several SLFP MPs including Dayasiri Jayasekara, Mahinda Amaraweera, Duminda Dissanayake, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Faiszer Mustapha. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Receiving Rs. 2,000 allowance...

Officers of the Divisional Secretariat in Rajagiriya today distributed the Rs. 2,000 allowance to the people, who have lost their livelihoods and who do not receive any government allowance, in Bandaranaikepura. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana.