The Women’s Movement for Freedom held its first conference today at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute under the theme ’Women’s Power for Endless Struggle and System Change’. This was held with the participation of women’s representatives at all levels and local and foreign organizations. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
The Free Trade Zones and General Service Employees Union organized a protest in front of Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo. They demanded that employers and the government take measures to safeguard the rights of employees and workers, which they claim are being violated. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel.
INFOTEL 2023 ICT Exhibition, organised by the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS) began today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). The exhibition is scheduled to continue until November 05. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
The ’Naam 200’ celebration was held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo yesterday, marking the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) people in the hill country. The event was honoured by the presence of Indian Finance Minister, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, who was warmly welcomed by over 5,000 Tamil people from the hills. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The Department of Census and Statistics commenced its latest population and housing census, an important undertaking that occurs once every 10 years. Census officers are visiting households in Colombo to gather vital information under the leadership of Deputy Census Commissioner and Sri Jayawardena Pura Kotte Regional Secretary Kasun Epa Seneviratne. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The University Trade Union Joint Committee today staged a protest in front of the University Grants Commission (UGC) demanding the authorities to re-arrange the university enrollment procedure and to stop robbing the Universities Provident Fund (UPF), Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) and pension. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The People’s Movement to Save Schools today organized an agitation in front of the Education Ministry to protest the government’s move to transfer the financial burden of school education to the parents and to allocate 6% of the budget. The cost of school equipment, nutritional problems and shortage of teachers were also raised during the protest. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
A lighter moment at the 68th annual convention of the Sri Lanka Press Association (SLPA) was held at the BMICH with the participation of Transport and Media Minister Bandula Gunawardene as the chief guest. Minister Gunawardene having a lighter moment with SLPA Senior Patron Muditha Kariyakarawana and President Sisira Wijesinghe. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
The Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union, Government Medical Officers’ Union and other professional unions held a protest today near the Finance Ministry at Lotus Road, Colombo, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the arbitrary tax amendments. They dispersed on the promise of a discussion with the Finance Ministry Secretary at a later date. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
The World Fellowship of Buddhist Sri Lanka held a peaceful protest in front of the World Buddhist Federation of Sri Lanka in Colombo today calling for the protection of human rights and an end to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Members of the Provincial and State Workers Union Collective staged a protest in front of Sethsiripaya, demanding a salary increase. Similar protests took place throughout the country, with the collective aim of addressing this issue. Pix by Pradeep Dilrushkshana.
The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has received 7523 complaints in the first eight months of 2023. More than 4,000 complaints related to crimes against children related to children in need of care, compulsory education, and cruelty.
A group of medical students was fired tear gas and water cannons near the Nelum Pokuna in Colombo by the police yesterday. They were protesting against the government’s alleged move to destroy free education with the support of several private universities and schools. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi
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