Too many choices

The Colombo International Book Fair 2020 organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association for the 22nd consecutive year was launched at the BMICH in Colombo today by State Minister of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Arts Promotion, Vidura Wickramanayaka. The annual exhibition will be held till September 27. The organisers requested all visitors to follow COVID-19 guidelines when they visit the book fair. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

7th Int’l SOSAA kicks off

The 7th International Conference of the Society of South Asian Archaeology (SOSAA) kicked off today at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura this morning. The event is organized by the Department of History and Archaeology of the university.

Uni. Protest…

The students union of the Kelaniya University yesterday held a protest march from the Visual & Performing Arts University to University Grant Commission (UGC) urging the authorities to solve the issues faced by the Computing and Technology Faculty. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Against cattle slaughter…

The ‘Pavidihanda’ Organisation headed by Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera launched a march towards the statue of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala, whose birth anniversary fell today. The march was organized in favour of the Government’s decision to ban cattle slaughter. Cattle were paraded in the march in a bid to convince people on gravity of slaughtering cattle. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

All CSE operations go digital

Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) have launched the future of stock trading with the Digitalization of the Sri Lankan Stock Market yesterday. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Aced?

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa played golf at the Aqua Golf Course at Colombo Port City this morning. He visited the Port City in view of the 6th Anniversary of launching the project and was accompanied by Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Rohitha Abeygunawardane, Johnston Fernando, State Ministers Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Lohan Ratwatte and Tharaka Balasuriya. Pix by Prime Minister’s Media Division

156th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala

The 156th birth anniversary of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala was celebrated under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Maligakanda Mahabodhi Agrasrawaka Maha Viharaya this morning.

Thai Sumedha exports incense products to Canada

Thai Sumedha Enterprise Private Limited expanded it’s exports by entering into Canadian Market under the trademark ’Thai Sri Lanka’ recently. Thai Sumedha CEO Sumedha Elpitiya, Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Minister Bandula Gunawardana are seen placing Thai Sumedha incense products into a box to be exported to Canada while IDB Chairman Upasena Dissanayake looks on. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

J.R. Jayawardena Commemorated

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene pays floral tribute to the statue of Late President J. R Jayewardene during a program held at Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya head quarters to mark the late leader’s 114th birth anniversary on September 17 2020. UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was also present.

SJB Seminar against 20A

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa attended a conference in Colombo yesterday to organize a Samagi Jana Balawegaya Campaign against the proposed 20th amendment. Opposition MPs, civil society activists and party members were present on the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest ...

The external degree holders’ of the Kelaniya University staged a protest march in Colombo yesterday urging the authorities to resolve their issues. Pix by Nisal Baduge

CBEU protest…

Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union (CBEU) staged a protest outside the Lake House Round About urging the authorities to resolve their issues. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Stop illegal tree cutting...

A group of individuals staged a protest this afternoon at the agitation site urging the Government to put an end to illegal tree cutting in the country. These individuals have organised themselves through Facebook. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Protest against swindling of money

Depositors of the Sanasa Bank in Gampaha District staged a protest at the Agitation Site in Colombo against swindling of their money. Pix Nisal Baduge

Locally manufactured ‘Gabapentin’ launched

Locally manufactured ‘Gabapentin’ 300mg was launched by State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) today under the patronage of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana at the SPMC premises.

Ruwan at Kelaniya Temple

Newly elected UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene is seen engaging in conversation with some of the devotees at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara. Mr. Wijewardene visited the temple last night. Chief Incumbent Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera conducted religious observances

Sports High Performance Centre declared open

Sports High Performance Centre at the Foundation Institute was declared open with the participation of Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa and Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ruwan engages in religious observances

Newly elected UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene is seen engaging in religious observances at Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya today after being elected to the post. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel.

Rear Admiral Uthpala new Commandant Volunteer Naval Force

Rear Admiral Sanath Uthpala assumed office as the Commandant Volunteer Naval Force (VNF) at the VNF Headquarters, on 09th September 2020. Pix Curteacy SL Navy

New UNP Deputy Leader

Newly elected UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene is seen greeting his supporters who gathered at party headquarters Sirikotha this evening after the election. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Mete out justice…

Workers committee of the Tech City Development Project staged a protest today at the agitation site in Colombo over facing unemployment due to handing over the project work to the Urban Development Authority (UDA).

Lane law back

The lane law was re-implemented in selected roads in Colombo today from 6 a.m until 10 a.m. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Gender Equality?

Motorists and Pedestrians today were surprised to see hundreds of policewomen standing embarrassingly on the road displaying boards on new lane rules while only male officers directed the traffic. Given the fact that there were policewomen manning traffic on other days one wonders as to whose decision it was to make policewomen stand like mannequins on the road today while only men directed traffic. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Follow the lane discipline

Women Police Constables are seen holding banners on roads today to aware the motorists about the lane law program which will be enforced from tomorrow in selected roads in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Special Forces passing out at Maduru Oya

Five Officers and 295 Other Ranks of the elite Special Forces (SF) who followed the intensive nine-month long Training Course at Maduru Oya were passed out yesterday during a ceremony attended by Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva. A new uniform was also introduced to the Special Forces from yesterday onward. Pix by SL Army.

Colombo Shopping Festival at BMICH

Colombo Shopping Festival Stock Clearance Sale will be held for two days since yesterday at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) while adhering the COVID-19 protocols.

Removing woody debris under Aviththawa Bridge

The Navy in the past week enabled manpower to clear debris collected under the Aviththawa Bridge over Bentara Ganga, as it hampered the free flow of river water.

Blood Donation Campaign by Saukya Dana Movement

A Blood Donation Campaign organized by the Colombo unit of the Sri Saukya Dana Movement for the 11th time was held at the Saukya Dana Movement Headquarters, Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

More PCR tests

PCR tests were being conducted among civilians at Kirulapana to test for COVID-19 virus infected persons in the area.

19 years ago Friday

Americans on Friday will mark the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania.