Exhibition of stamps, coins...

An exhibition of vintage stamps and coins organized by Sri Lanka Independent Philatelic Association was launched yesterday (26) at the Public Library and will be held until Sunday (28). Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

To combat Dengue menace...

As a precautionary measure to control the mosquitoes, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has taken steps to start fogging and other preventive steps targeting the vulnerable areas in the Colombo municipality.

Police launch motorcycle squadron against underworld

The passing out parade of a team of 100 police personnel who underwent special training at the Katukurunda STF camp to go after criminals operating in the Western and Southern Provinces was held with the participation of Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, STF Commandant Senior DIG Waruna Jayasundara and the Western Province Senior DIG.

ITC Ratnadipa Colombo declared open

President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled the epitome of luxury: ’ITC Ratnadipa Colombo’ - featuring Sri Lanka’s inaugural sky bridge ’AHASA ONE’, soaring 100m above ground. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Japan grants USD 3 Mn for inland fisheries enhancement

Japan Provides USD 3 million through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to strengthen inland fisheries and improve rural livelihoods in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

End the plastic era

Civil Society Organizations demands an ambitious Global Plastic Treaty, at Ottawa, Canada. Ahead of the Plastics Treaty negotiations in Ottawa, Canada this week, activists walked in the streets to demand a just Treaty for people and planet free from corporate influence.

Iranian President arrives at Katunayake

Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi arrives at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. He came to Sri Lanka to inaugurate a power and irrigation project and five cooperation agreements were signed between the two countries in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Dr. Raisi. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Iranian president meets with Sri Lankan president

The Iranian President, Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, and President Ranil Wickremesinghe held one-on-one discussions, followed by a bilateral meeting between representatives of both nations at the Presidential Secretariat this eveining. Pix by President Media

Security beefed up

Security in Colombo was beefed up this morning due to arrival of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ebrahim Raisi. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Elephants in search of food...

Wild elephants crossing the road at Tissamaharama in search of food and water in the current dry weather. Some elephants were searching for food amidst the garbage dumped by the people. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A small sweet surprise....

Palu fruit (Manilkara hexandra), which has a unique sweetness, being sold in Colombo on the road leading to Borelasgamuwa. Palu fruit trees usually grow in tropical and temperate forests. Pictures show a person who loves the sweetness of Palu fruits waiting to get some. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Seeking blessings on Bak Poya day

Devotees at the Pillewa Bodhiraja Temple and Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya are seen taking part in religious observances on Bak Full Moon Poya Day which falls today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Family New Year celebrations

A family New Year celebration was held recently at the Seethawaka Miracle Nature Resort in Avissawella. Several New Year games were held at the resort. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Demanding inclusion into teaching service

Union of All Ceylon School Development Officers March towards Ministry of Education, Battaramulla, demanding inclusion into teaching service. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Pensioners protest...

The Collective of Pensioners’ Associations staged a protest outside the Public Administration Ministry today, advocating for various demands, including the rectification of pension anomalies. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Maldivians in Sri Lanka cast votes

On April 21, 2024, Maldivian expatriates living in Sri Lanka exercised their democratic right by casting their votes in the Parliamentary Election of the Maldives. The polling station, established at the Maldivian High Commission in Colombo, welcomed over 300 Maldivian nationals who had registered to participate in the electoral process. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Victims of Easter Sunday terror attacks commemorated

People commemorated victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks at a cemetery in Katuwapitiya today, marking the 5th anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks. Over 260 were killed in the blasts which targeted three churches and three luxury hotels in the island in April 2019. A prayer procession was also held from Maris Stella College, Negombo to St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya to mark the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

MSME holds inaugural ceremony

The Ceylon Federation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’s inaugural ceremony was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) with the presence of distinguished guests from both local and international spheres. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Marking 5th anniversary of Easter Sunday attacks

Prayers were offered at the St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, led by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, to mark the fifth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and in commemoration of those whose lives were lost in the terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, another mass was held at the Tewatta Church in Ragama. Pix Nisal Baduge

Discussing May Day rally...

Senior Presidential Advisor and UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene participated in a New year celebration in Biyagama today while he also met party activists to dicuss on future programmes including the May Day rally. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

President visits Ambewela

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Ambewela Dairy Farm, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, this morning to assess its progres. Pix by President media

Cultural dance event from Kataragam Dewalaya

The Ruhunu Maha Kataragam Dewalaya began a cultural dance event ’’The Rythms of Sri Lanka’’ for locals and tourists which will be held during every weekend. This event will help provide funds for the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama. The event was held at the main entrance of the Dewalaya. Pix Nisal Baduge

The ultimate tiger mum

Tigers, revered apex predators of astounding strength, intelligence and beauty, are the jungle’s most majestic creatures.

Final rites for Thevarapperuma

The final rites of the late former Deputy Minister Palitha Thevarapperuma were held this evening at Yatadolawatte, Mathugama, with the participation of politicians, religious leaders and the public. Thevarapperuma was buried at the burial site, which he had prepared while he was still alive in Yatadolawatte. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Stakeholder meeting on plastic pollution

A stakeholder meeting, hosted by the Alliance for Aquatic Research and Conservation (AARC), took place recently at the Malima Clubhouse in Uswetakeiyawa. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Preserve plantations...

Plantation workers attached to the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) staged a protest today in front of the Fort Railway Station, demanding that the authorities protect the plantations as national treasures and increase their daily wage to Rs. 1,700 against the skyrocketing cost of living. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Marking the tree planting ritual...

A Moringa tree was planted this morning to mark the tree planting ritual for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year at the Gangaramaya Temple. Indigenous Medicine State Minister Sisira Jayakody participated at the event along with Gangaramaya Deputy Incumbent Ven. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Mount Ruang volcano eruption

This handout photograph taken and released by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation yesterday (17), shows Mount Ruang spewing hot lava and smoke as seen from Sitaro, North Sulawesi.

President at Court Lodge Estate

President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Court Lodge Estate, owned by the Udupusellawa Plantation Company in Nuwara Eliya this morning (16) to explore opportunities for the revival of the tourism industry around the picturesque hills of Nuwara Eliya. Notably, the President embarked on this journey by traversing the Pekoe Trail.

Meetotumulla Tragedy: Relatives light lamps in remembrance

Relatives of the victims of the Meetotumulla tragedy paid tribute to their deceased loved ones by lighting lamps at the monument erected at the site. The tragedy, which occurred earlier, claimed the lives of around 32 individuals. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana