SLAF receive three overhauled Antonov-32 aircraft from Ukraine

Three Ukrainian-built Antonov-32 transport aircraft belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) which were sent to Ukraine for overhaul purposes, were brought back to the country today. The three AN-32B aircraft were sent to Ukraine in August last year to undergo repairs and a life extension. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

UK experts giving a hand...

An expert team, that arrived from UK to investigate the oil patch in the vicinity of X-Press Pearl vessel was seen assisting the local officers to clean the debris of the vessel, using modern equipment. The experts also trained the local officers to identify whether there is an oil patch. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Administering Sinopharm second jab...

Administering the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine took place in Colombo and Bandaragama today. A large number of people were seen queuing to get the vaccine. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Samantha Perera

Recognize our service...

The All Ceylon Health Service Union today staged a protest in front of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) and in front of the General Hospital in Colombo over several demands, including providing them with an allowance so as to the doctors’ category. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Damith Wickramasinghe

Intense checking continues....

The police officers attached to the Kottawa exit point of the Southern Expressway are seen checking the documents of the motorists for indemnity before allowing them to proceed during travel restrictions. Some vehicles came under intense inspection to ensure they don’t transport suspicious goods. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Sajith receives blessings...

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and his wife Jalani, who recovered from COVID-19, arrived at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple to receive blessings this morning.

Receiving Sinopharm second jab

People living in Colombo and Gampaha received the second dose of the Chinese Sinopharm COVID- 19 vaccine at the Darley Road Community Center and the Motor Department building respectively today. The government started giving the second dose of Sinopharm yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Kushan Pathiraja

Collecting their pension...

Pensioners are seen collecting their pension in Homagama and Kottawa today. The Army have arranged transport to facilitate the senior citizens. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Veggies in abundance...

People were seen buying vegetables and fruits at the Peliyagoda Economic Center and Economic Center in Piliyandala under strict guidelines. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Damith Wickramasinghe

STF turns up the heat during restrictions...

The Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel have set up barricades in Colombo to stop the traffic and check the permissions and passes of each passer by. The Government has imposed travel restrictions in the country since mid-May due to the spike COVID-19 infections. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

PCR tests on 1990 ambulance crew...

Health officials carried out PCR tests on the crew members of the 1990 ambulance service, who are directly confronted with the risk of COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile, PCR tests were also conducted on the residents of the Havelock Town. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Sinopharm vaccine for pregnant mothers

The Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine to shield against COVID-19 was given to pregnant mothers, for the first time in the country, in spite of risk factors. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Dengue raises head again...

With the flood water slightly dropping, the dengue has raised its head again. Hence, the Colombo Municipal Council has taken steps to start fogging the vulnerable areas in the Colombo municipality as a mean to control the mosquitoes. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Roads look busy despite restrictions...

Even though COVID travel restrictions are in effect, roads in Kottawa looked busy today. Several stores also remained open while several delivery services were in operation. Pix by Nisal Baduge

In a hurry...

Picture shows people are buying essentials after the opening of Narahenpita Special Economic Centre today. The Ministry of Trade has decided to open all Special Economic Zones today and tomorrow. The Trade Ministry says in two days the farmers will be able to bring their produce to the economic hubs and vendors can buy the goods from the economic centres. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sinopharm second dose rollout begins

The administration of the second dose of the China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine commenced this morning at the MOH Office D2A, Jinthupitiya, Colombo Municipal Council.

Gampaha still under water

People who are affected by floods in Malwana in Gampaha are seen using a boat for their errands. Pix by Pradeep Dilrusksana

Monitoring damage caused by adverse weather...

Security officers were seen monitoring the damage caused by the inclement weather using drone cameras. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

COVID-19 care center for females declared open...

The Intermediate Care Centre designated only for female COVID-19 patients was declared open by Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi today. The Centre comes under the Gampaha General Hospital. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

New sticker for vehicles with different colours from today

Eleven special stickers with different colors have been introduced today for vehicles that engage in essential services during the travel restrictions are in place. This new sticker system was introduced on all vehicles on the roads leading to Colombo to ensure that people are traveling for essential services do not experience delays due to travel restrictions. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Oxygen supply unit for Gampaha hospital COVID ward

Picture shows UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene handing over a cheque for the expenses incurred for a wall mount oxygen supply unit at the newly-built COVID ward at the Gampaha Hospital to Director Dr. Priyantha Illeperuma. Deputy Director Dr. Shiroman Priyantha and Gampaha Hospital Development Committee Chairman Ravindra Ganegoda were also present. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

X-Press Pearl VDR to Colombo High Court

The Voyage Data Recorder (VDR), also known as the ’’maritime black box,’’ of the MV X-Press Pearl, the ship that caught fire in the vicinity of the Colombo harbour, was brought to the Colombo High Court for legal analysis and action. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

SSP Patrick de Silva new Deputy Commandant of STF

SSP Patrick de Silva assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant of the Special Task Force of Police today at the STF headquarters. A simple ceremony was held at the STF Headquarters with the participation of a limited number of officers following COVID-19 rules and guidelines. He was appointed as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the STF following the retirement of SSP T.F Hadji.

Close view...

Yesterday, officers from the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) used a Bell 212 helicopter to inspect the MV X-Press Pearl ship, which caught fire in Sri Lankan waters. Pictures by SLAF

SLAF hands HHOT over to Gampaha Hospital

A ‘Heated Humidified Oxygen Therapy Unit’ manufactured by the Sri Lanka Air Force was officially handed over to the Gampaha District General Hospital recently. This Unit will be used in the treatment of patients who have contracted COVID-19. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Gampaha town, suburbs Inundated...

Gampaha Town and several adjacent villages are seen inundated yesterday due to torrential rains. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja and Pradeep Pathirana

A meal for the poor...

The officers attached to the Wellaweediya Police today started providing lunch and dinner for the paupers who have became extremely helpless due to travel restrictions in the Wellaweediya area. The benevolent act is carried out upon the instruction of Officer-in-Charge of Wellaweediya Police, Chief Inspector Ajith Peduruarachchi. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Beware, danger is imminent....

Picture shows pits are dug on the road in front of the Pillawa Bodhiraja Temple in Boralesgamuwa on the Colombo-Piliyandala main road. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Kelanimulla area flooded

Villages in and around Kelanimulla in Colombo flooded due to the recent torrential rain. The temple of the Ven. Kotuwe Podi Hamuduruwo is also seen flooded. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi.

SSP Hadji bids farewell

A simple ceremony was held at the Police Special Task Force Headquarters with the participation of a limited number of officers following COVID-19 rules and guidelines to bid farewell to the Deputy Commanding Officer of the STF, SSP T.F Hadji who retired from the service on yesterday after completing 37 years of invaluable service. STF Commandant DIG Waruna Jayasundara was also attended the ceremony.