First-ever drone show attracts large crowds

The first-ever drone light show in Sri Lanka illuminated the Colombo night sky with over 150 drones over the weekend, at Galle Face Green. The drone show was launched by Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, and attended by State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development D.V. Chanaka. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

’Dog show’

The ’Dog show’ organized by the Ceylon Kennel Club was held today at the Excel World Entertainment Park where dogs of different breeds were present. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

’New Wings’ stage protest...

’New Wings’, a youth organization, yesterday staged a protest in front of the Town Hall, Colombo insisting the Government to mete out justice for victims of Easter Sunday attacks by revealing the truth behind the carnage. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Champions..!

Sri Lanka seal the series with a comfortable 184-run win over Zimbabwe in the final ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy yesterday

Demanding solutions…

A group of employees indulging chefs of hotels organized a demonstration outside the Labour Secretariat citing that they have lost their jobs due to pandemic situation. Pix by Warnua Wanniarachchi

Grade 5 Scholarship students get spiritual strength

Ven. Morawatte Subodhi Thero offers blessings to the grade 5 Scholarship students of Reggie Ranatunga Vidyalaya, Minuwangoda. Principal Thushari Priyadarshani presided the ceremony. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Well wishes for tomorrow’s Scholarship exam

Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardane yesterday visited several schools in the Colombo district to convey his wishes to the Grade 5 students, who are sitting for their Scholarship Exam tomorrow. Picture shows the Minister seeing students of the M. D. H. Jayawardane Maha Vidyalaya in Kotte. The exam could not be conducted in 2021 due to the pandemics.

Priyantha Kumara’s family gets donation, salary from Pakistan

The donation of US$ 100,000 from the business community in Sialkot and payment of monthly salary of the late Priyantha Kumara to his widow and children were handed over today at the Pakistan High Commission this evening. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sri Lanka’s first ever vegan recipe book launched

The launching of Sri Lanka’s first ever Vegan recipe book by the ’Dharma Voices for Animals’ organization was held on Thursday in Colombo. The first copy of the book was presented to the Chief Incumbent of the Peradeniya Sri Subodharama International Buddhist Centre Ven Wattegama Dhammawasa Thera by the Founder of the organization Mr. Bob Isaacson.

University students protest...

Students’ Union of the Sri Jayewardenepura University staged a protest at the Wijerama junction demanding the authorities to solve numerous issues, including opening universities for all students. Pix by Nisal Baduge

WNL Hokandara Complex receives award for cleaner production

Wijeya Newspapers Limited Hokandara Complex received the Platinum Award (Category of Printing and Packaging Industry Sector – Manufacturing Medium) in National Cleaner Production Awards 2021. Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera presented the award to WNL Chief Operations Officer and General Manager Janaka Rathnakumara at the Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla last night. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

JVP protest march in Colombo

A protest march organized by the JVP was held in Colombo yesterday where they insisted the Government not to betray ownership of electricity, ports and lands etc. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, other MPs and supporters were seen in the protest. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Bangladesh’s Chief of Naval Staff meets General Silva

The Chief of Naval Staff of the Bangladesh Navy, Admiral M. Shaheen Iqbal, now in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit paid courtesies to the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva at the Army HQ yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Customs gets new scanners…

Four scanners meant for container examinations at the Customs were officially handed over to Director General of Customs, G. Vijitha Ravipriya by Khoren Keusseyan, Vice President, M/s Rapiscan Systems USA. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Missive handed over to President

A group of Ayurvedic practitioners handed over a missive to the President today in which they have brought several concerns to the attention of the President such as the violation of public freedom by making the vaccine card mandatory etc. They also elaborated on the possibility of curing Dengue and COVID through Ayurvedic medicines. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Gamini Senarath, new Secretary to President

Gamini Senarath today assumed duties as the Secretary to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat.

Demanding risk allowance

A trade union attached to the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala, which recognizes itself as the ‘SLPP union’, staged a protest today, demanding a risk allowance of Rs.5,000. The group claims that they haven’t been paid the allowance which they are entitled to. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Against new goods and services tax

Inland Revenue Department employees and workers of the Excise Department today staged a protest in front of the Ministry of Finance against the new goods and services tax to be introduced by the government. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

National Trade Port Council in protest

National Trade Port Council staged a protest in Colombo today over several demands including solutions for leasing mafia. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Against appointment of CEB new GM

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers’ Union staged a protest outside the CEB building against the appointment of new General Manager to the CEB. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Police inspection held at Jinthupitiya, Dam Street Police Stations

The semi-annual police inspection by Jinthupitiya and Dam Street Police Stations was held at the Gunasinghapura Stadium on Tuesday (18). The parade was revived by the Colombo (Central) SSP Nishantha Chandrasekera which was commanded by Dam Street OIC Chief Inspector Ajith Peduruarachchi. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Dehiwala Zoo crowded….

Visitors thronged the Dehiwala Zoo as it reopened after several months of closure due to Covid-19. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Walking with freedom...

People were seen walking freely along the seafront promenade at Port City Colombo this evening. According to the records, about 50,000 people from various parts of the country have visited the location for sight seeing. The Port City is open to the public from 9 a.m to 6 p.m every day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Gas cylinder reaching the sky..?

A kite festival was held at Valikamam East along the Kattaikkadu beach in Jaffna peninsula yesterday in line with the Thaipongal festival. A kite made like a gas cylinder flies high in the sky symbolising the present gas crisis in the country. Pix by Romesh Madushanka

New arrivals at Dehiwala Zoo

Two new cygnets born to the pair of resident black swans were the latest attraction at the Dehiwala Zoo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Observing Duruthu Poya

Picture shows devotees are engaged in religious observance at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya and Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) to mark the Duruthu Poya Day, this morning. This is a key religious and historic date in the calendar for Sri Lankans as it marks Gautama Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka on the ninth month after attaining Enlightenment. Kithsiri de Mel and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Yacht service in Port City

Sri Lanka’s new yacht service offers a number of tour packages. There are special packages for office outings, weddings, etc. It is expected that the yacht service will gain popularity among residents and visitors in Colombo and elsewhere. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Kuragala Ancient Buddhist Monastery

The traditional placing of sacred objects at the new Chaithya, which is being constructed at the historical Kuragala Ancient Buddhist Monastery, held yesterday (16) under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Army commander Shavendra Silva. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Vaccination rollout for children continues...

In line with the vaccination week declared by the Health Ministry, a vaccination programme for children aged 12 to 19 years was held at the Panadura MOH office yesterday. Pix by Samantha Perera

Leaflet distribution campaign at Fort

A leaflet distribution campaign organised by the Inter University Bhikkhu Federation (IUBF) was held opposite the Fort Railway station today with the aim of making people aware of the Government’s move to sell national assets. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe