Ananda College Vesak Zone

Ananda College, the premier Buddhist school in the country organized a Vesak Zone at the school premises this year. Several school children are pictured here making Vesak lanterns at the zone. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sharing a meal on Vesak Day

Several Dansals have been organised on Vesak Day. People are seen organising and participating at Dansals in the Colombo City. Pix By Nisal Baduge

Vesak Poya Day

Devotees are seen taking part in religious observances at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo in light of the Vesak Poya Day which falls today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kelani Viharaya comes alive for Vesak

Large crowds were seen at Kelani Viharaya despite adverse weather condition today. Many devotees were seen engaged in religious observances. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Pandals ready for Vesak...

The popular Thotalanga, Dematagoda and Gangaramaya Vesak pandals in Colombo are seen decorated for the Vesak festival tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Preparing for Vesak

Vendors seen selling an array of lanterns in Colombo ahead of the Vesak festival which is one of the holiest festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka as it marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Vietnamese decorations at Vesak Zone

Vietnamese Buddhist monks residing in Sri Lanka are showcasing a special stall at the Vesak zone 2023 organized by the Gangarama Temple Hunupitiya .The monks have brought down decorations from Vietnam for the stall. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Pindapatha Charika…

In line with the 2,667 years of Buddha’s Enlightenment and the State Vesak Festival, the Department of Buddhist Affairs organized a Pindapatha Charika programme this morning from the Gangaramaya Temple at 9.30 a.m. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Indian Air Chief calls on General Silva

The Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva. The visiting head of the Indian Air Force and the delegation were warmly welcomed by the CDS at the arrival and recalled the strong bilateral defence ties the two nations share for years.

No to Counter Terrorism Bill

Independent protestors (Nirpakshika Aaragalakaruwo) staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station today, demanding the authorities refrain from enacting the proposed Counter Terrorism Bill. The protest was held in the form of a drama. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Indian AF Chief visits AF Headquarters

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force called on the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, this morning (02 May 2023) at Air Force Headquarters.

Making Vesak decorations...

Vietnam Buddhit monks are seen making vesak lanterns and decorations for the Gangaramaya Vesak Zone. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Bus skids off road: several injured

A Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus plying to Hanwella from Negombo met with an accident on the Wathurugama bus route in Gampaha this morning. The bus skidded off the road due to its speed, police said. 70 passengers were on board during the accident and the injured were admitted to the Gampaha base hospital. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SJB May Day parade

The May Day parade of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) commenced near the P.D. Sirisena playground in Maligawatte this afternoon. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Uttara Lanka Sahabaga May Day rally

The May Day rally of the Uttara Lanka Sahabaga was held at Hyde Park grounds today with the leaders of the party including former MP Wimal Weerawansa. Pix by Santha Ratnayake

SLFP May Day rally in Kandy

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) held its May Day rally in Kandy with party leader Maithripala Sirisena saying his party will not form an alliance with any other party in the future. Pix by J.A.L. Jayasinghe.

JVP May Day rally

The May Day procession of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National Peoples’ Power moves along from BRC grounds Colombo 6 to the road near Vihara Mahadevi Park, where the rally was held. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

SLPP May Day rally at Cambell Park

Former President and SLPP Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa greets the crowd at the party’s May Day rally, which was held at Cambell Park today. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene and MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage are also present. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

May Day, May Day!

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene and the party seniors at the Party’s May Day rally held at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Commemoration of late President R. Premadasa

Former President R. Premadasa’s 30th death anniversary was commemorated in front of the Premadasa statue in Hulftsdorp this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Invoking blessings for country

The Gammadu festival, which seeks blessings from the deity Paththini, was held recently at the Iyamporuwa Gangathilaka Viharaya and aimed at offering worship for the goddess Paththini, known for cleansing sins and helping to achieve prosperity for the villagers and the country. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vesak pandol back for public view...

Streets in Colombo were decorated with pandols to welcome Vesak day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Toiling for a living!

Labourers are seen enaged in their daily routines despite the May Day holiday, also known as International Workers’ Day. Here, some labourers are working for their living in Colombo this morning, regardless of a day dedicated to them. Pix by Kithisiri De Mel

May Day preparations for tomorrow

The Daily Mirror today captured the preparation activities for tomorrow’s May Day rallies of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), United National Party (UNP), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Getting ready for Vesak

Vesak lanterns are seen being made in Kirulapone, Colombo, in view of the Vesak festival. Vendors have put up lanterns and other decorations on display at their shops. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Dam Street police New Year festival

A New year festival was organized by the Dam Street Police yesterday at the A.E. Gunasinghe playgrounds, Gunasinghepura. The Committee of the Community Police Division, the Advisory Committee and the collective of traders associations participated in the event. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

UNP held Borella Asana Balamandala meeting

The United National Party’s (UNP) Borella Asana Balamandala meeting was held yesterday at Dematagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena under the Chairmanship of party Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake. A large gathering of party members participated in this event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Motor show exhibition at BMICH

A motor show exhibition is underway today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) by the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC). The exhibition will be held until Sunday (30). Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Inspecting CATVs

The Sri Lanka Navy Marine Corps presented three special Combat All-Terrain Vehicles (CATVs) to President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (27). The CATVs were produced locally by Ideal Motor Company and are a part of the new concept of the Sri Lanka Navy Marine Corps to combat illegal activities, terrorist activities, and various smuggling activities along the coast of Sri Lanka. (PMD)

Youth against tax burden on people

The Youth Rights Collective (YRC) today staged a protest at the Borella junction against the government’s move to impose heavy taxes on innocent people, demanding secure rights to protest and to reduce the electricity bill. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana