Refugees detained at the UNHRC Refugee Agnecy at Rosmead Place, Colombo 7, today staged a protest in front of the agency, demanding to speed up their resettlement procedures as the centre is to be removed from the location. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe
A new political party led by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka was launched today at the National Youth Center Auditorium. The party named the ‘United Republic Front’ was launched to coincide with Sri Lanka’s Republic Day. The chosen symbol for the new party is the ‘Pencil’. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
’Beyond the Struggle’ movement convenor, Balangoda Kassapa Thera, and the other members and friends and prelates staged a protest in front of the Canadian High Commission of, condemning the statement made by the Canadian Premier Minister Justin Trudeau on May 18. Premier Trudeau said May 18 is a day of the Tamil genocide, and thousands of Tamils lost their lives 14 years ago.
The final religious rights for the late Mahanayaka of Amarapura Chapter the most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Thera was observed at Independence Square today with the participation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, several ministers and MPs. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel
The opening ceremony of the Travel and Tourism Fair 2023 organsied by Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operations (SLAITO) together with Sri Lanka Tourism was held today at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) under the patronage of the Prime Minister. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
The National Security Conclave - 2023 organized by the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) Sri Lanka was held at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in Ratmalana.
Navy brought ashore the seized heroin and the six suspects onboard a fishing trawler arrested with 125kg of heroin in the seas off the southern coast and brought to the Colombo Port this morning. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is seen inspecting the seized contraband of heroin. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
Customs today seized a container arriving from Dubai carrying a large consignment of Hookah tobacco worth around Rs. 164 million. This type of tobacco is used for Shisha smoking. Senior Customs officers inspecting the contraband prior to further action. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
Sri Lankan Nurses joined their global counterparts to celebrate the International Nurses’ day in Colombo today. Chief of Staff to the President and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka, Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara and Director General of Trade Unions to the President Saman Ratnapriya are seen sharing lighter moments during the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The ’Sri Lanka Skills Expo 2023’ exhibition, which fulfills the dreams of job seekers, held on the May 12, 13 and 14 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre in the BMICH premises in Colombo. The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel
Stunning images captured the moment a whale in Monterey Bay, California, put on a display for boats full of whale watchers, greeting them with a spectacular tail wave. One of the whales did a massive head lunge not far away from the boat. The same whale continued to breach, tail lob, tail throw and pec slap for the next 90 minutes.’ (Daily Mail)
The fishermen who were affected by the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster were recently granted compensation for the fourth time at the Ministry of Fisheries under the auspices of the Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda and the State Minister of Fisheries Piyal Nishantha De Silva. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana
More countries issue travel advisories
Sri Lanka Tourism invites global travellers for upcoming season
Russian embassy urges citizens to stay vigilant in Arugam Bay
US Embassy issues travel warning for Arugam Bay
India-Sri Lanka ferry service operates smoothly