The Colombo International Book Fair 2019 organised by the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association was launched at the BMICH in Colombo today. The annual exhibition will be held till September 29 from 9 am to 9 pm. The organisers encouraged all visitors to bring a bag of their own, preferably a cloth bag, when come to purchase books. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
A number of train services delayed this morning owing to a major signal failure that occurred at the Colombo Fort Railway Station causing public unrest. Images show commuters stranded at the various railway stations due to train delays. Pics by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday launched the programme to develop Bombuwala Town and the construction of Nagoda- Thenuwana Road. The Prime Minister unveiled the plaque after laying the foundation stone to construct the Sunday School building of Sri Subodhirama Temple in Bombuwala in Kalutara District. Chief Incumbent of the Temple Halwathure Assaji Thera and UNP MP Kalutara District Lakshman Wijemanne were also present. Pix by Prad
Former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda (Rtd) and Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake (Rtd) were honoured to the ranks of Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Air Force respectively by President Maithripala Sirisena today at a State Investiture Ceremony held at the harbour premises, Colombo.
President Maithripala Sirisena, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha(India) Subramanian Swamy with the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the MP Namal Rajapaksa’s wedding reception held at Mount Lavinia Hotel, on Tuesday.
SriLankan Airlines was honoured with a global accolade - the ’Best Marketing Innovation Award’ from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for its efforts to refresh the recovery of the island’s tourism industry in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack.
Sri Lanka Economic Summit (SLES) 2019, kicked off at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, today. The two-day event is themed around Recalibrating Sri Lanka’s Economic Trajectory Towards 2025, to guide Sri Lanka’s journey towards development and prosperity. The event was graced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the chief guest and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, as the guest of honour.
Sri Lanka High Commissioner in the UK Maneesha Gunasekera together with Pat Smith, a long-time British supporter of the London Buddhist Vihara, unveiled the portrait of Mary Foster Robinson, the largest single benefactress of Anagarika Dharmapala, founder of the Maha Bodhi Society at the Vihara hall to commemorate his 155th birth anniversary.
The investiture ceremony of the Junior Prefects for 2019/2012 of the Gothami Balika Vidyalaya - Colombo10, was held today with the participation of Principal Ms Subashini Dematagoda and junior prefect guild head teacher Mrs Kusum Wickramasingha. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisingha
The Lotus Tower, the tallest tower in South Asia, was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena today. The telecommunication tower which is 350 meters in height was constructed at a cost of $ 104.3 million with funding from the Government of China. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe distributed appointment letters to Samurdhi officers at a special ceremony held at Temple Trees yesterday. Minister of Internal Affairs Vajira Abeywardene, Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment Daya Gamage, Minister of Agriculture Fisheries Irrigation and Rural economy P Harrison and State Minister Anoma Gamage were also present. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today declared open the new pavilion of Erukkampody Muslim College in Mannar and a classroom building to mark the school’s 75th anniversary. Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the senior authorities of the school participated in the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Pulathisi Express, a new train to Polonnaruwa was flagged off by President Maithripala Sirisena, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh Sandhu this afternoon from Fort Railway Station in Colombo. The train is supplied to Sri Lanka Railways by M/s RITES Ltd. under Indian Line of Credit.
Combat riders of the first Special Force Regiment, together with two Russian Officers on Tuesday joined one more segment of the ongoing ‘Exercise Cormorant Strike X - 2019’ at Pulmodai for a mock snatch operation where they stormed a bomb manufacturing hideout and captured a cache of bombs, arms and ammunition, belonging to terrorists.
UNP Chairman and Highways and Road Development and Petroleum Resources Minister Kabir Hashim and UNP Assistant Leader and Petroleum Resources Minister Ravi Karunanayake are seen lighting candles in the presence of Party Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Deputy Chairman and Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
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Police security assigned for former MPs withdrawn