Celebrating victory

People are seen celebrating the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) victory at the general election today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

MR sworn in as Premier

Former President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the fourth time, before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara this morning. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Re-remanded…

Former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara and Sub Inspector (SI) Mendis further remanded till August 20 by Gampaha Magistrate’s Court today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Daily Mirror on New York Times

The New York Times has published a photo of a man reading the today’s Daily Mirror Newspaper.

‘Pohottuwa’ lights up

Colombo’s Lotus Tower was illuminated today as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), also known as the ‘Pohottuwa’ Party, led by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is heading towards a landslide victory at the 2020 General Elections. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Counting votes in progress...

Counting of votes for Parliamentary election 2020 began today and counting centers all over Colombo were seen adhering to the health guidelines and safety measures issued by the Health Ministry over the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gale-force winds damage more than 100 houses in Moratuwa

Gale-force winds have damaged more than 100 houses in Moratuwa today, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today. Colombo District DMC coordinating officer Anura Kalansuriya said 112 houses in 12 Grama Niladhari Divisions including Egoda Uyana, Koralawella North and Lakshapathiya North were damaged due to gale-force winds. However, he said no casualties were reported. Pix by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka

Rescued…

A herd of cows and goats brought to Dematagoda for slaughtering from various places in the country were taken into police custody and handed over to Embilipitiya Sri Bodiraja Foundation headed by Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera following a court order. The animals were handed over to Foundation by Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon

Heavy rain wreak havoc

Areas around the island have been affected due to the heavy rainfall and strong winds. Roads have been blocked due to uprooted trees and broken tree trunks.

Ballot boxes to counting centers

Ballot boxes in the Colombo District are being brought to counting centers in Royal College and Isipathana College in Colombo. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Exercising franchise

People across the country cast their votes today to elect the members of the next parliament. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

No violence, only violations: EC

Speaking at a news conference after the conclusion of the general election, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said no incident of violence was reported during the poll. ’’There was no violence, only violations,” he said.

Arriving at polling stations...

United National Party UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa were seen arriving at polling stations to cast their votes this morning. People were also seen casting their votes at respective polling stations.

HOW TO VOTE

Ballot boxes taken under heavy security

Election officials and police personnel seen yesterday taking ballot boxes to a polling station in Colombo under heavy security.

Getting ready

Pictures show health officials seen disinfecting polling stations at Grand Pass, area in Colombo while Police officers were also seen preparing for tomorrow’s election duties. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinha

Train derails at Kollupitiya

A Colombo bound Train has derailed near the Slave Island Railway Station this morning causing train delays on the Coastal line. Pix by PradeepPathirana

Final Randoli Perahera parades streets of Kandy

The final ’’Randoli Perahera’’ of the historic ’’Sri Dalada Maligawa’’of Kandy paraded the streets last night (3). The picture shows ceremonial tusker ’Indi Raja’ carrying the golden casket containing the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, ’Indi Raja’ the tusker is flanked by two more tusker’s ’Miyan Raja’ and ’Buruma Raja’. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Carrying ballot box

Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya seen carrying a cardboard ballot box at a press conference yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Polling stations disinfected

The health officials of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council today launched a programme to disinfect 51 polling stations within the municipality. Chief PHI Malinda Jayawardane said the temples which will be used as polling stations will be disinfected tomorrow. Pix by Rekha Tharangani Fonseka

Ranil visits Titus Perera at hospital

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Colombo National Hospital to look into the needs of Colombo District UNP candidate Titus Perera, his wife and four other who were assaulted by an unidentified group at the Kirulapone UNP propaganda office. Pix by Pradeep Disrukshana

Seeking blessings on Nikini Poya Day

Devotees are seen taking part in religious observances at the Kelaniya Temple to mark the Nikini Poya Day. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

UNP final rally

UNP Leader former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe along with former MP Vajira Abeywardene was seen at the UNP final rally held in Galle.

Let’s take a selfie

UNP Deputy General Secretary Ruwan Wijewardene is seen participating in a selfie with a group of people during an election meeting held in Biyagama on Saturday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana. 

Basil confident of victory

SLPP National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa at a news briefing today expressed confidence that the party would secure the victory at general elections on August 5. SLPP Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris and Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam were also present. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Cat with heroin packet

A cat that had a heroin packet tied around its neck, was discovered by the prison officers at the Colombo Magazine Prison premises today.

SJB pledges to resolve worker-concerns

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadassa participated in a trade union meeting organised by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduna Bandara at the public library today.

TU action over delay in ECT operations continues

The protest and Satyagraha organised by Port Joint Trade Union outside the Port Authority premises in Colombo over the delay in Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) operations at the Colombo Port continued for the third day today.

Election rally in Ja-Ela

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy General Secretary Ruwan Wijewardene and John Amaratunga are seen at an election rally held in Ja-Ela. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Protest against new birth certificate

A protest organised by a group by the name ’Siw Hele Sinhayo’ against the decision to remove references to race and religion in birth certificates was held at the agitation site in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana