Sri Lanka goes Silent

A 10 day quarantine curfew came into effect from last night. Seen here are the deserted roads of Colombo today morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Getting their vaccines...

Picture shown people are being given the Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Preparing for ’stay indoors’

People are preparing ahead for the upcoming stay-at-home order which comes into effect from 10 pm today until August 30. The Government has imposed a ten-day lockdown in view to prevent the prevalent COVID-19 outbreak in the county. Pix by Samantha Perera, Waruna Wanniarachchi and Pradeep Pathirana and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Long queues at filling stations

Long queues were seen at petrol stations in Colombo due to rumours circulating on social media that there is a fuel shortage in the country.pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Stop!

Road blocks have been set up in several places where vehicles and individuals are checked by the security forces. Pictures show a road block near the Southern border of Western Province. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dilum visits Fort Railway station

Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama today visited the Fort Railway station to observe how the trains are operated to transport the employees of essential services. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

PCR tests along Marine drive...

A health team of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) carried out PCR tests on residents along Marine drive in Kollupitiya today.Pix by Pradeep Dilrusksana

Masks not meant for jaws...

In a dreadful situation where lockdowns are not on the cards, people must ensure that they strictly abide by the health guidelines and practices when they are outdoors. However, people still don’t seem to have realised the gravity of the pandemic threat and making the situation go from bad to worse through their haphazard behaviour. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Expressway deserted...

The Southern Expressway was seen deserted today as the government imposed heavy travel restrictions to curb the COVID 19 pandemic. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Self-lockdown...

Colombo Fort looked deserted with some shop owners going for a self-lockdown closing their shops. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Demanding scientific lockdown...

Several trade unions attached to the heath sector staged a protest opposite the Colombo National Hospital today demanding a scientific lockdown in order to contain the further spread of COVID-19. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

COVID jab for unvaccinated people...

A vaccination centre has been set up at the New Moor Street, Colombo 12 by the Jinthupitiya and Modara MOH offices together with Wellaweediya Police to administer vaccines for those who have not yet taken a single dose of a vaccine in the Colombo city. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Sinopharm vaccine rollout...

People were seen receiving the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine from the vaccination centre operated by the Sri Lanka Army at the Vihara Maha Devi Park. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Cyber protest by teachers

The Joint Alliance of Teachers and Princiapls launched a cyber protest yesterday, in a move to further strengthen their trade union action against the salary anomalies they have been suffering with. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

On the verge of completion...

Members of the Civil Defence Force are seen busy putting the final touches in the construction of new wards at the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama today for those cancer patients who have become COVID-19 positive. The project was funded by the Sri Lanka National Youth Council and the Global Wings Charity. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Usually bustling Pettah in slumber mode...

Several streets of COlombo are deserted due to Covid spread in the city, Though most of the shops are closed, some vendors who were selling essentials keep their shops open. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Queueing up for kerosene....

People are seen queued up to buy kerosene in Maligawatte today due to the fear of shops putting up shutters due to the COVID spread. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

Waiting for a final glimpse.....

Relatives of those who have died due to COVID 19 were seen gathered at the rear gate of General Hospital Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Self-imposed restrictions get going...

The shops at the Gampaha City will remain closed for one week following a decision taken by the vendors themselves to close the shops considering the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Vaccination drive continues...

A Vaccination programme was held at the P D Sirisena Play Ground where it was noticed that people were arriving at the location to get themselves vaccinated with much enthusiasm. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

PCR tests in Maradana

People in Maradana are seen subjected to PCR tests today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Complaints against vaccination drive

Two complaints were filed at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) by Sihala Rawaya and Ayurvedic practitioner Indrani Swarna Senaratne today against alleged violation of human rights with regard to the COVID vaccination program. Venerable Akmimana Dayaratana Thera and Ms Senaratne pictured here after filing the complaints. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vaccination drive on track...

With adequate vaccine doses now available in the country, people are seen actively coming in large numbers to get vaccinated. Pictures show the vaccination drive being carried out at the Vihara Maha Devi Park. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

75th Independence Day of India celebrated in SL

The 75th Independence Day of India was celebrated in different parts of Sri Lanka today in strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols.The celebrations this year are part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2021, to commemorate 75 years of a progressive and self-reliant India. The main event was held at ‘India House’, the official residence of High Commissioner of India.

Colombo bus stands look deserted

The Central Bus Stand and the private bus stand in Colombo wore an almost deserted look despite the city remains open for public. However, people seem to be hesitant in using public transport due to the fears of the worsening COVID-19 situation. In addition, the inter-province public transport was also suspended with effect from midnight yesterday. Pix by Samantha Perera

Vaccine to the door...

The Medical teams of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps were engaged in mobile vaccination in the Western Province where immobile and bedridden elderly people are administered with a COVID-19 vaccine. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

COVID-19 victims; before bidding adieu for the last time....

The bodies of the COVID-19 victims were seen brought to the Borella Cemetery for cremation. A new cremation area was established in the Borella cemetery specially for COVID-19 victims. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Station Masters on strike...

The railway stations are not operated today due to the token strike action launched by Railway Station Masters’ Association since midnight yesterday over government’s failure to ensure the health safety of railway employees. The token strike is expected to end by midnight today. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Mobile vaccination underway...

In a bid to accelerate the vaccination drive and to make sure that every individual belonging to the target population has received the COVID-19 vaccine, the Government commenced the mobile vaccination. Here, Health officials were seen carrying out mobile vaccination in several areas in the Gampaha district under the supervision of Eranga Senanayake, the Mayor of Gampaha Municipal. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Teachers launch satyagraha

Teachers’ and Principals’ Trade Unions and several other unions launched a satyagraha in front of Independence Square in Colombo today (12), demanding solutions for their grievances. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe