’’Buddha Purnima 2021’’

’’Buddha Purnima 2021’’ to commemorate the birth, the enlightenment and the mahaparinirvana of the Buddha was organised by New Delhi based International Buddhist Confederation and the Ministry of Culture India.

Fire under control...

The fire erupted at the Singapore-flag ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ is currently under control. SLAF has dropped 425kgs of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) on the vessel to contain the fire.

Anti-COVID vaccination rollout is on...

The members and their families of the Bokundara Dedicated Economic Centre today received Sinopharm vaccines to protect against COVID-19. The vaccination programme was organized by the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lanka Army. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

White House celebrates maiden Vesak this year...

For the first time in US history, the celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha (Vesak), was held in the White House on May 26 in honor of Vesak, official statement from the White House has been announced by the President Joe Biden.

Intensive vehicle checking

Police officers were seen checking vehicles in Minuwangoda following the strict travel restrictions imposed by the Government across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Development continues despite pandemic

Despite the travel restrictions imposed in the country due to the COVID pandemic, construction work is in progress. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Celebrating Vesak indoors

People are seen celebrating Vesak in their homes on the recommendations of the health sector due to global COVID outbreak. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Lunch packets distributed...

An event organised by OIC Maradana Police Chief Inspector Nalin Jayasundara was held in front of the Eye Hospital, Colombo yesterday where lunch packets were distributed to workers, who clean the roads and beggars in the area. Shirts and sarongs were also given to the each male while gowns were given to females. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Clearing debris

Security personnel are seen working in a beach in Pamunugama for the removal of debris washed ashore from the container ship MV X-Press Pearl, which has been burning for the eighth consecutive day in the sea off the Colombo Harbour. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana, Waruna Wanniarachchi and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Collision...

A container which was traveling from Seeduwa to Colombo met with an accident in Welisara due to a technical issue. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Sri Pada season concludes

The casket of sacred relics and the statue of the God Sri Sumana Saman, the guardian god of the Sri Padastana, were taken in procession to the Pelmadulla Galpottawala Sri Pada Rajamaha Vihara today after the Sri Pada pilgrimage season ended on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. A group of army personnel took part in the occasion in accordance with health guidelines. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Newly appointed AG visits Gangaramaya Temple

Sanjaya Rajaratnam who was appointed as the new Attorney General, visited the Gangaramaya Temple and sought blessings from Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Road checks...

Police was seen operating road blocks at Kadawatha, Kirillawala and Kokiskade Junction to check people travelling during the island-wide travel restriction period.Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

A dead moray eel on the beach

A dead moray eel is seen on the Wellawatte beach along with the debris from the ship MV X-Press Pearl washed ashore off Wellawatte, Bambalapitiya and Dehiwala. Security personnel are also deployed at the scene. Sacks of Lotrène brand of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and material are seen scattered along the beach. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Vesak in Colombo

People are seen celebrating Vesak amidst of travel restriction to control COVID. Picture shows the streets in Colombo including Gangaramaya Temple are decorated for Vesak. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Vesak decorations light up Colombo

Most of the streets in Colombo are being decorated with Vesak lanterns. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Another vaccination rollout

Picture shows the family members of doctors, nursing staff being administered with COVID vaccine the at the Colombo Eye Hospital compound today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Debris washed ashore...

The debris of containers from the ship MV X-Press Pearl was seen washed ashore off the coast of the Negombo. Security officers have also been deployed to the scene. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

People spotted carrying debris...

Some people in Uswetakeiyawa were seen carrying debris washed ashore on the beaches from the burning X Press Pearl ship in the outskirts of the Colombo port, despite a warning by the Marine Environment Protection Authority not to touch any of the washed ashore debris as it could be harmful. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Avoid touching debris reached ashore

Seen here the debris of containers that was washed ashore from the ship MV X-Press Pearl. The containers washed ashore off the coast of the seas of Negombo and Colombo.

Vesak without devotees...

Most of the temples seemed deserted following the strict travel restrictions imposed by the Government due to the COVID pandemic. All religious activities in temples were suspended and no devotees are allowed to visit temples. The Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya, Pillawa Bodhiraja Temples in Boralesgamuwa and Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo seems deserted this morning. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Towns in Colombo, Gampaha ’take a break’

Colombo and Gampaha seem deserted due to the travel restrictions imposed by the government for several days. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Why this step-motherly treatment?

Despite the Government yesterday announced that no vehicles would be allowed on the roads or for shopping purposes when travel restrictions are relaxed temporarily today, several people were seen still travelling in their vehicles to buy the essentials, to avail services and to fulfil other purposes. At the same time, it was also observed that some people were on foot carrying many bags of foodstuff and other essentials.

Blood save lives...

The employees of the premium chocolate producer Anods Cocoa launched a blood donation program, held at the company’s factory compound in Pugoda today under the purview of its Chairman Lakshman Weerasuriya. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Stop!

An army soldier is seen commanding to stop a vehicle in Nugegoda. Vehicular movement is prohibited today despite the relaxing of travel restrictions. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

Rough seas...

Bad weather and rough seas were observed in Colombo as a result of Cyclonic storm “YAAS” which is likely to move north and north-westwards and reach north Odisha and west Bengal coasts by early morning tomorrow.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Tense situ at LRH over AstraZeneca second dose

A tense situation was reported outside the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Maradana where over 3, 000 people have gathered, demanding the second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccinations. They were not seen maintaining any social distancing. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Vesak pandols to light up Colombo

Sri Lanka Army personnel are seen decorating the streets of Colombo to welcome the upcoming Vesak. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Doctors’ relatives vaccinated...

Relatives of doctors were given COVID-19 vaccine at the doctors’ quarters of the Colombo National Hospital today. Here is a scene outside the doctors’ quarters. Pix Pradeep Dilrukshana

Foodstuff and essentials unloaded at Pettah wholesale Market

Porters are busy unloading lorry loads of essentials at the wholesale Market in Pettah today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.