Illegally imported ethanol stock seized

A consignment of 76 barrels of ethanol stock worth Rs.20 million which was imported illegally from Singapore was seized by the officers attached to the Customs Central Investigation Bureau today.​

Women’s Day march has no barriers!

Organization for Free Women held a protest march from Elphinstone roundabout to Presidential Secretariat marking the Women’s Day and the Police tried to disperse the crowd when they tried to enter through police barricades. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Resolve our issues...

A group of workers at the Millewawatte rubber estate staged a protest outside the Presidential Secretariat claiming that their daily payment has been reduced to Rs. 250 from Rs. 580. They appealed to the President to resolve their issues. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

SLFP celebrates Int’l Women’s Day

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party today celebrated International Women’s Day at the party headquarters under the patronage of Party chairman and former President Maithripala Sirisena. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

She deserves better…

The world today celebrates International Women’s Day, which throws the spotlight on women and their rights. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The theme of 2021 is ‘Let’s all choose to challenge.

Unemployed graduates demand justice

A protest organized by the Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates was held outside the Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Council and Local Government today urging the authorities to provide job opportunities without disregarding them. Pix Nisal Baduge

SLPP MPs files complaint

Several MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) today filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against alleged comments made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ashoka Abeysinghe linking President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Earn for living...

People seen fishing in the Kandalama Lake in Dambulla, dispite the scorching heat due to hot weather. Many Lankans are living adjacent to streams usually engage in fishery activities for their livelihood. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ruwan in Dambulla

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and other party seniors participated at a meeting held in Dambulla yesterday, discussed about reorganizing the party. He met several senior officials including religious leaders during his visit. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Cardinal Ranjith at 'Black Sunday' protest

Marking the ’Black Sunday’ observation, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is seen among other worshipers today at St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade. A large gathering of Buddhist monks were also seen among the protesters calling the authorities to bring the mastermind of the Easter Sunday suicide attacks. A silent protest was also held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Ragama.

Burial ground

A total of 17 bodies of victims who succumbed to COVID-19 have been buried at Ottamavadi area in Batticaloa District as of yesterday since last Friday. Pix by Jawfer Khan

COVISHIELD vaccines under COVAX Facility arrives

The first batch of 264,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccines under COVAX Facility by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was received this morning. The consignment was received at the Katunayake airport by Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle. Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

SJB launches ‘Sadaham Charika’

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) launched ‘Sadaham Charika’ where they meet religious leaders of every religion and obtain blessings for the party. Accordingly, SJB MPs including Tissa Attanayake, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana and several others first met religious leaders in the Negambo area.

Army Chief last frontline soldier to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva today received the Covid-19 vaccine after all frontline personnel fighting against Covid-19 were administered with Covishield Astra-Zeneca vaccine.Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley also attended to witness Army Commander receiving the vaccine at the Army Hospital.

‘Wedding Show 2021’

The Wedding Show 2021 exhibition was launched in BMICH Colombo yesterday. The exhibition mainly focuses many eye-catching and dazzling wedding products. It will be held until March 7 .Pix by Nisal Baduge.

Imploring blessings to mete out justice for Easter Sunday attack victims

A small prayer service was held before the statue of St. Anthony in Kochchikade, Negombo imploring blessings to mete out justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attack. The prayer service was organized by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Dr. Kavinda Jayawardana and Hector Appuhamy. Several Muslims also joined the prayer service.

SLAF flying squadrons honoured

Two flying squadrons of the Sri Lanka Air Force were honoured by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with the award of the Presidential Colour in recognition of their exceptional service and contribution to the nation.

PM flags off first LNG power plant construction

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today commenced the construction of Sri Lanka’s first natural Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) power plant at the Lakdanavi Power Plant premises in Kerawalapitiya, which is expected to contribute 350 MW of power to national grid.

Development officers stage protest

The Development Officers Service Union staged a protest in front of the Public Administration Ministry today over several demands that include making them permanent and other demands. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Army recovers cannabis and illegal firearms

Army troops of Commando Regiment in domination patrol in the Panama forest recovered 1000 plants of Cannabis and locally produced 2 Shot Guns. They were handed over to the Pothuvil police for further investigation.

Demo against UN alleged war crimes report...

The Dead and Missing Persons’ Parents’ Front (DMPPF) today handed over a memorandum to the High Commission of the UK, UN office in Colombo and the Presidential Secretariat regarding the publication of a report on alleged war crimes. They said the report is biased and not properly investigated about the missing persons including civilians and armed personnel during the war.

Indian Air Force Chief calls on Army Chief

Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria called on Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva at the Army Headquarters.

Four cats rescued from a sinking ship

A Thai navy sailor braved choppy waters to launch a dramatic rescue effort to save four cats stranded on a sinking ship that had caught fire. (Daily Mail)

Vaccination against COVID-19

People were seen receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in Colombo yesterday. The government decided to give the vaccine to everyone above 30 years of age. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana.

Medical Officers in protest

All Ceylon Government Medical Officers’ Association staged a protest in front of the Health Ministry today urging authorities to conduct transfers without political interventions.

Air Show kicks off

The Air Show organized to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), commenced today under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in the skies above the Galle Face Green in Colombo. A total of 14 Indian aircrafts and 24 aircrafts such as Cessna-150, Y12, B-200, MA-60 and F7 Fighter Jets, from the SLAF flew through the skies above the Galle Face Green. Pradeep Dilrukshana

Resolve unemployment issues

A protest organized by the Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates was held outside the Fort Railway Station today urging authorities to resolve their unemployment issues.

Future plans of National Sports Council informed

A media briefing was held today (03) at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry of Sports to inform about the future plans of the National Sports Council for the year 2021. Mahela Jayawardena, President of the Sports Council, its members and General Palitha Fernando, President of the Athletic Association were also present at the discussion which was chaired by Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Stolen Building electrical equipment found

A stock of Building electrical equipment, which were stolen from several shops in Panchikawatta was found by the Maradana police officers under the supervision of OIC Chief Inspector-Nalin Jayasundera.

Protest in Iranaitivu against burial move...

Residents of Iranaitivu Island in Kilinochchi are protesting against the government’s move to bury COVID-19 victims in the island. The protesting people are seen filling the pits dug by some people to bury the bodies. Pix by Sithum Chaturanga